How to clean ear piercing. Having your ears pierced may be an exciting and entertaining event. Ear piercing is one of the most popular body piercings for good reason: it’s a reasonably low-risk treatment with the potential to be a trendy and beautiful addition to your look. But, as with any other body piercing, regular care of your freshly pierced or fully healed ears is essential to avoid infection, allergic reactions, and other issues. In this post, we’ll go through how to clean ear piercings and offer advice on how to keep your pierced ears healthy.
1. Understanding Ear Piercings
Before getting into the main portion of the article on how to clean ear piercing, you should know about several types of ear piercings. The most common type is earlobe piercing, which involves making a hole in the fleshy part of the earlobe. This type of piercing typically heals quickly, and the healing process can take four to six weeks.
Cartilage piercings are a bit more complicated and involve making a hole in the cartilage of the ear. Cartilage piercings take longer to heal than earlobe piercings, which can take several months. Some popular types of cartilage piercings include the helix piercing, which is a piercing along the outer rim of the ear, and the tragus piercing, which is a piercing at the little cartilage flap that covers the ear canal.
Upper ear piercings, also known as industrial piercings, involve two piercings connected by a single piece of jewelry. This type of piercing can take several months to heal, and it’s essential to follow proper aftercare to reduce the risk of complications.
Overall, understanding the different types of ear piercings and the aftercare process is essential for maintaining healthy piercings and avoiding complications.
2. Cleaning Solutions
When it comes to how to clean ear piercings cleaning solutions are a critical component of the ear-piercing aftercare process.
-
Saline solution: The combination of salt and water is known as a saline solution. It is a natural antibacterial agent that helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing. You can buy a saline solution at a drugstore, or you can make your own at home by mixing one-fourth teaspoon of sea salt into one cup of warm water. Be sure to use sea salt, as table salt may contain iodine, which can irritate the piercing. So, if you are still wondering about how to clean ear piercing, a saline solution is the easiest available cleaning solution there is.
-
Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is a disinfectant that kills bacteria and germs. It is important to dilute it with water before using it on the piercing, as undiluted rubbing alcohol can be too harsh and cause skin irritation.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can also be an effective cleaning solution for piercings, but it can be harsh and cause irritation or dryness. It’s important to dilute hydrogen peroxide with water and only use it occasionally.
-
Antibiotic Ointment: Sometimes, your dermatologist or piercer may recommend using an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection or promote healing. If you are using an antibiotic ointment, make sure only to use a thin layer and not over-apply, as this can trap bacteria and cause infection.
As you go on reading about how to clean ear piercing, it’s important to note that not all cleaning solutions are safe for all piercings. For example, some solutions may be too harsh for cartilage piercings or may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Always consult with your piercer or dermatologist before using any cleaning solution on your piercing, and discontinue use if you experience any irritation.
3. Step-by-Step Cleaning Process Once You Get Your Ears Pierced
Cleaning your newly pierced ears can seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean ear piercing:
-
Clean your hands: One of the most important steps to remember on how to clean ear piercings is to make sure to wash your hands. This is an essential safety measure to take before piercing, as it will protect the wound from contamination.
-
Prepare the cleaning remedy: Choose the most convenient cleaning agent, such as salt water or isopropyl alcohol, and use it as needed. To prepare your saline solution, just combine 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water, or use a commercially available saline solution. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol if you need to rub something down. Put the remedy in a tidy little bottle.
Image by Adriano Gadini from Pixabay/Copyright 2015 - Immerse a cotton swab or cotton ball in the cleaning agent: Dip a cotton ball or swab into the cleaning solution and make sure it is fully saturated.
-
Purify the puncture site: Let’s move on to how to clean ear piercing at the piercing site. To begin, use the cotton ball or swab to carefully wipe the front, rear, and skin around the earring. Avoid using any harsh or abrasive motions while cleaning the piercing site. During cleaning, avoid turning or twisting the earring, since this might damage the post and create discomfort.
-
Rinse the puncture site: As a last step after cleansing the piercing site, a warm water rinse is recommended.
-
Dry the piercing site: Pat the piercing site dry with a clean cloth or a piece of gauze. If you want to keep the piercing site bacteria-free, you should always use a fresh towel.
-
Repeat the process: During the first six weeks after getting your ears pierced, you should clean your piercing twice a day, once in the morning and once before night. Once the piercing site has healed, you can reduce your cleanings to once per day.
-
Avoid irritating the piercing: Keep the piercing site clean without using any hair products or cosmetics that can aggravate it. Use caution while applying hairspray, makeup, or anything else to the area around the piercing.
4. Common Problems and Solutions seen in Newly pierced ears
Despite your best efforts, you may still encounter some common issues with your newly pierced ears. Here are some tips on how to clean ear piercing issues and treat them:
4.1. Infection:
Getting an infection after getting your ears pierced is not uncommon. Sometimes the area around a piercing that has been infected can become red, bloated, and painful. Pus or other discharge might also be produced. Take fast action if you detect infection in your piercing. So, how to clean ear piercing when you get an infection.
First, take some saline solution or rubbing alcohol to disinfect the piercing. After that, you should treat the area with antibiotic ointment. If you want your piercing to heal, you should only use a doctor-recommended ointment.
4.2. Allergic Reactions:
Some people may have sensitivities to the metals or other components of earring materials. Several cheap pairs of earrings contain nickel, which is a known allergen. Redness, itching, and swelling at the piercing site are possible signs of an allergic response. Scaly or blistered skin is a sign of skin damage.
Lets us know how to clean ear piercing if you think you have an allergic reaction. First, rinse the piercing site with saline solution and immediately remove the earring. Swap out the post for something hypoallergenic, like gold or titanium. If you have a history of allergic reactions, it’s best to avoid wearing inexpensive or low-quality earrings.
4.3. Slow healing:
Poor aftercare, low-quality jewelry, or an underlying health issue might all contribute to a piercing taking longer to heal than planned. Selecting high-quality earrings made of materials like gold or titanium, and adhering to a good aftercare routine, will hasten the healing process.
5. Additional Tips for Maintaining Healthy Piercings
There are a few additional tips to keep in mind on how to clean ear piercing:
5.1. Selecting the Best Earrings
Invest in high-quality earrings made from materials that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Gold, silver, and titanium are all viable possibilities. Avoid cheap or low-quality earrings, which are more likely to cause irritation or infection.
5.2. Care for the Piercing Site Gently
As much as possible, avoid touching the pierced site. If you need to handle the earring or clean the piercing, wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap first. Use a clean towel to dry your hands before touching the piercing site.
5.3. Avoid Infection
To avoid infection, avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, or other bodies of water for the first few weeks after getting your piercing. Also, avoid using hair products, such as hair spray or gel, around the piercing site. The use of these items raises the possibility of skin irritation and infection. Understanding the steps on how to clean ear piercing will always prevent infections.
5.4. Pay Close Attention to Your First Earring Selection
Many piercers use what is called a “starter earring” while doing a first ear piercing. This earring should be hypoallergenic and composed of high-quality materials. A stud earring is another option since it is less prone to become entangled in your hair or other personal items. Also, remember to ask your piercer how to clean your ear piercing after you choose the right earring.
5.5. Keep your earring Cleaning routine up to Par
Washing earrings with saline solution or rubbing alcohol on a daily basis will help keep your ear piercings free from infection and inflammation. To keep the piercing from shutting up, you should switch your earrings around every so often.
Suggested Reading: How to Pierce Your Own Ear: 4 Important Points to Know
6. Conclusion
While ear piercings may be all the rage right now, they do require special attention to avoid infection, allergic reactions, and other problems. Yet, you need just learn proper aftercare for your ear piercing. If you adhere to the guidelines outlined below, your piercings should heal normally and without any complications. Maintaining a clean piercing site and wearing high-quality earrings are both effective ways to protect against infection. No matter what your health issue is, from a cold to an allergic response, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Proper care of your piercings and other cosmetic enhancements might extend the time you get to enjoy them.
As an Amazon Associate, Icy Health earns from qualifying purchases.
