If your infected piercing is permanent, or more than six months old, remove the earring while you deal with the infection.
If the shop where you got your ear pierced provided a saline solution, use it to clean your ears. You can also purchase a pre-made product or make a saline solution by mixing 2 teaspoons of salt with a quart (about a liter) of warm water. If you use a soap, go with a fragrance free brand that doesn’t contain alcohol. Clean an infected ear piercing twice a day. You can rotate the earrings during this time while they are still wet from the saline solution or soap.
If the infection is weeping or emitting a discharge, avoid using ointment. [6] X Research source
Ask the doctor, “Do you recommend any antibiotics for this infection? What type of antibiotic is most effective for this type of bacterial infection?”[14] X Expert Source Navid Malakouti, MD, FAADBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 19 July 2021. Do not wash or clean the piercing for at least 24 hours before seeing a doctor. The doctor will want to take a swab of the infected ear to diagnose it, and cleaning products can interfere with this test.
If you’ve never had a piercing before, you might find that you have a metal allergy. You can avoid allergic reactions to piercings by getting an earring that is nickel-free, as nickel is the most common metallic allergen. Your doctor may refer you to an allergist for more specialized testing to identify what the allergy might be.
You should also avoid swimming while treating an infected permanent piercing.
Take care not to get hairspray or gel in the piercing or to snag it when brushing your hair.
You should also sanitize any other phones you use. You can also put your phone on speaker when people call. This will minimize how much you touch your ear.
It is not a good idea to get pierced at night markets or abroad while on vacation. You should not have a friend pierce your ears for you at home, as they will not be able to properly sterilize their equipment.
