More than 6 weeks since ear was pierced. Initial healing went well.
New symptoms are localized redness, swelling and crusting just at earring site
Spreading redness is more serious and needs to be seen
Call or Return If
Ear not improved after 3 days
Fever occurs
Spreading redness occurs
You think your child needs to be seen
Your child becomes worse
About This Topic
Causes of Pierced Ear Infections
Not cleaning the earrings and posts daily as directed
Frequent touching of the earrings with dirty hands
Clasps that are closed too tightly. Reason: Pressure from tight earrings reduces blood flow to the earlobe.
Not taking the earrings out at night
Anything that causes a scratch in the channel. Examples are a heavy earring or a rough area on the post. Reason: Any break in the skin can become infected.
Inserting the post at the wrong angle also can scratch the channel. Use a mirror until insertion becomes second nature.
Posts that have nickel in them can also cause an itchy, allergic reaction
After Care Advice
Overview:
Minor pierced ear infections can be treated at home.
With proper care, most will clear up in 1 to 2 weeks.
Here is some care advice that should help.
Clean Earring with Rubbing Alcohol:
Wash hands with soap and water.
Remove the earring from the ear.
Clean the earring and post with rubbing alcohol.
Do this 3 times per day.
Clean Earlobe with Rubbing Alcohol:
Then wash away any crusting from the earlobe with soap and water.
Use rubbing alcohol and some gauze to gently clean the holes on both sides of the earlobe.
If the alcohol stings, use pierced ear solution instead.
Antibiotic Ointment:
After cleaning, apply an antibiotic ointment to the earring post and the earlobe holes.
Examples are Polysporin or Bacitracin. No prescription is needed. You can also use one you already have.
Then reinsert the earring.
Continue until drainage and redness are gone for 2 days.
What to Expect:
With proper care, most mild earlobe infections will clear up in 1 to 2 weeks.
It is common to have mild infections come back without daily earring care.
