Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Prevention
An infectedear piercingis unlikely, as long as you get your piercing at a licensed salon and follow the recommended aftercare instructions. Even so, a new ear piercing can get infected if you or someone else touches it with dirty hands or you don’t clean it every day.
If bacteria get into the wound, the infection may cause mild swelling and redness that you can treat at home. Serious infections can lead to pain, heat, and a smelly,pus-like dischargethat requires treatment from a healthcare provider, including the use ofantibiotics.
Most new piercings take several weeks to heal. If the piercing is in the earlobe, you can expect the healing to take around six weeks. A cartilage piercing takes longer to heal because there is less blood flow in the area.
New piercings get infected because bacteria get transmitted (passed) to the wound before it has had the chance to heal. The bacteria most commonly associated with this isStaphylococcus aureus, commonly found in the nostrils, armpits, groin, and head.
Simply swiping your hand across your face and ear can sometimes transmit the bacteria to exposed tissues in the wound. Other bacterial causes includeStreptococcus pyogenesand coryneform bacteria.
Common causes of infected ear piercings include:
It is normal to experience itching and tenderness when you get a new ear piercing. But when an infection occurs, the symptoms are more pronounced and may include:
An infection of ear cartilage—referred to asperichondritis—can be more severe, in part because the reduced blood flow impedes healing and makes infections harder to fight.
With perichondritis, symptoms may progress faster than an earlobe infection. There may also be more serious signs, like fever and chills.
Ear Piercing Infection vs. AllergyA piercing “infection” can sometimes turn out to be an allergy. Nickle earrings have been known to cause allergic reactions, resulting in itching, swelling, redness, and pain.Nickel is, in fact, one of the most common causes ofallergic contact dermatitis, affecting more than 18% of people in North America.
Ear Piercing Infection vs. Allergy
A piercing “infection” can sometimes turn out to be an allergy. Nickle earrings have been known to cause allergic reactions, resulting in itching, swelling, redness, and pain.Nickel is, in fact, one of the most common causes ofallergic contact dermatitis, affecting more than 18% of people in North America.
A piercing “infection” can sometimes turn out to be an allergy. Nickle earrings have been known to cause allergic reactions, resulting in itching, swelling, redness, and pain.
Nickel is, in fact, one of the most common causes ofallergic contact dermatitis, affecting more than 18% of people in North America.
At-Home Treatment
If an ear piercing becomes infected and the symptoms are mild, you can often treat it at home. This may involve:
If the infection is mild, it is best to leave the earring in rather than taking it in and out. Doing so only increases the odds of introducing new bacteria into the wound. It may also allow the hole to close up tightly, making it harder to replace the jewelry.
Instead, keep the earring in until healing is complete, and turn it occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Seek immediate medical care when:
In such cases, a seven- to 10-day course oforal antibioticsmay be prescribed to resolve the infection.
If not treated appropriately, a severe piercing infection can lead to:
Summary
Ear piercings are generally safe but can become infected if they are touched with dirty hands or not cleaned every day. If an infection does occur, there may be swelling, redness, pain, warmth, and a pus-like discharge from the piercing.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim MM.Ear-piercing complications in children and adolescents.Can Fam Physician.2022;68(9):661–3. doi:10.46747/cfp.6809661Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2015;29(3):429–64. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for pierced ears.MedlinePlus.Perichondritis.American Academy of Dermatology.Nickel allergy: how to avoid exposure and reduce symptoms.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim MM.Ear-piercing complications in children and adolescents.Can Fam Physician.2022;68(9):661–3. doi:10.46747/cfp.6809661Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2015;29(3):429–64. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for pierced ears.MedlinePlus.Perichondritis.American Academy of Dermatology.Nickel allergy: how to avoid exposure and reduce symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kim MM.Ear-piercing complications in children and adolescents.Can Fam Physician.2022;68(9):661–3. doi:10.46747/cfp.6809661Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2015;29(3):429–64. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for pierced ears.MedlinePlus.Perichondritis.American Academy of Dermatology.Nickel allergy: how to avoid exposure and reduce symptoms.
Kim MM.Ear-piercing complications in children and adolescents.Can Fam Physician.2022;68(9):661–3. doi:10.46747/cfp.6809661
Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2015;29(3):429–64. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for pierced ears.
MedlinePlus.Perichondritis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Nickel allergy: how to avoid exposure and reduce symptoms.
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