Ear Lobe Piercing

The practice of ear piercing goes way back in time. While maintaining hygiene and taking care of a new ear lobe piercing may have been difficult in those times, it is not so now. In fact, caring for a piercing on the ear lobe requires you to follow a very simple procedure on a daily basis, until the wound heals. This should be followed religiously to prevent the development of any kind of infection, which your skin at that time is most prone to. This is because it is an open wound, in a very sensitive area. Presented here is a simple ear piercing care routine, and some other additional tips, that will help heal the wound smoothly.

Care

An healing time of a piercing on the ear lobe ranges between 4-8 weeks or 1-2 months. At this time it is very tender and prone to the development of infections that can be painful in many cases. Taking care of a new ear lobe piercing is essential to prevent such infections. Follow this aftercare routine to ensure it heals without trouble.

1. The new piercing should be cleaned at least once a day with an anti-bacterial soap, for about 3-4 weeks.
2. Before you do so, always wash your hands with this soap, as hands carry bacteria that may lead to an infection of the piercing.
3. Cleaning the piercing while showering is ideal, and should be the last thing you do after your shower.
4. Soak the piercing in some lukewarm water.
5. Take a liquid antibacterial soap, and pour a few drops on the piercing. Gently rotate the piece of jewelry so that the soap spreads evenly in and around the piercing.
6. Allow it to stay for a few minutes, while gently removing the crust that has formed around the stud. A crust formation is due to a white/yellow discharge called lymph, which is normal with a new piercing.
7. Wash off the soap thoroughly with plain water, again while gently rotating the piece of jewelry so that all the soap is removed. Use a paper towel to dry it off. Try to make it as dry as possible as even left over water can cause an infection. Don't use a towel to dry off piercing, as it carries bacteria that can easily affect the ear lobe causing an infection.

After 3-4 weeks, continue the same care regime once every 2-3 days. However, the entire routine should be followed precisely in the above-mentioned manner.

Additional Tips

While following the routine given above is important, there are other things that you should and should not do while taking care of your new piercing.

• While getting your piercing, ensure that the person who is doing it for you is trained to do so, and that the tools he is using have been thoroughly cleaned. Sometimes, an infection develops immediately due to improper hygiene followed on part of the piercer.
• Unless you are cleaning your piercing, don't fiddle with it or touch it. It is unnecessary and can cause infections.
• Don't use any kind of topical lotions, ointments, tea tree oil, or salt water, as suggested by many specialists. On the other hand, applying a few drops of coconut oil on the piercing has found to help in healing it quickly. Applying oil is essential because the daily cleaning routine causes the skin on the ear lobe to stretch and become dry. This may lead to some severe pain. It also helps in loosening the crust formation easily.
• While cleaning the piercing, and while applying the oil, gently rotate the piece of jewelry around. This helps in the prevention of crust formation, and reduces the pain caused by tightening of the skin around the wound, over time.
• Signs of an ear lobe piercing infection include itching, irritation, redness, swelling, and an increasing amount of discharge. If you suspect an infection, don't try to remove the piece of jewelry from the piercing yourself. Go to the piercer, or to a doctor to take care of it. Handling it yourself may cause further problems.
• Even if you don't have an infected ear lobe, don't try to remove the jewelry on your own until the piercing has healed completely.
• You may swim after getting an ear lobe piercing, but only for a short time, and in clean, properly chlorinated water. Avoid swimming in the ocean until your piercing has healed completely.

Whether it is an ear lobe piercing, or other different types of ear piercings, maintaining hygiene while allowing the wound to heal is very important. To prevent a minor infection from going out of hand, and to be able to eventually sport your favorite pair of earrings, follow this care routine religiously.