In addition to aesthetic concerns, patients with keloids may have itching and tenderness. Why wasnt it working? If you add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to the salt solution, it might aid healing. the area is extremely sensitive or painful when touched. A history of Strep infections during childhood was reported. The clasp becomes implanted into your skin, The infection worsens even after home treatment, Redness and inflammation spread beyond the site. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. Contact dermatitis resulting from nickel exposure is common. Ensure you only use jewelry made from stainless steel, gold or titanium. Then once it subsides, apply an antibacterial cream to the earring post before inserting it. If you want to read similar articles to How to Treat an Infected Helix Ear Piercing, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category. Routine care is also essential to keep infection at bay. 4th ed. There are a few treatment options that will help the healing process of an infected ear piercing: 1 If the infection is severe, oral antibiotics could be prescribed. More severe infections can lead to spreading redness/swelling, fevers, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.. Wearing a curved barbell instead of a ring until the navel piercing has healed may reduce irritation and scarring. Redness, warmth or swelling around your piercing. Infections can occur near the piercing site, but they can also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical. This means it can cause further complications and become difficult to treat. Sometimes, piercings ooze blood or white, yellow or green pus. If you find that your piercing is infected, here's our step-by-step guide to cleaning it: If you have a nickel sensitivity, you may not be able to handle jewelry made of nickel-laden metals. One small study38 of children and adults with congenital heart disease found no cases of endocarditis after ear piercing, even though only 6 percent of patients received prophylactic antibiotic treatment. Conservative treatment of minor local infections includes warm compress and over-the-counter or prescription topical antibiotics such as bacitracin or mupirocin. You may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected. In addition to soaking with warm salt water, you can put a clean, warm cloth or gauze soaked in salt water on the infected area, or use a chamomile tea bag that has been steeped in hot water. You should call a healthcare provider if you experience: You may want to ask your healthcare provider: Getting your ears pierced is most often a safe, simple procedure. "Make sure you do not have a fever or swollen lymph nodes, which suggests you should seek a doctor for further evaluation," notes Chang. Tammie McKeownTreating the infection at home, Read Also: Stop Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics. Press your ear into a cup or shallow bowl filled with a teaspoon of non-iodized salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water. Ear piercing infection treatment may include: Taking good care of your piercings is key to preventing infection. Family physicians should be prepared to address complications of body piercing and provide accurate information to patients. Mupirocin is effective and offers excellent coverage against gram-positive cocci. Dont Miss: How To Beat A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics. This decreases the risk of infection. In: Adult Telephone Protocols: Office Version. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching any part of the infected area. Earrings can become embedded in the earlobe, a complication common in persons with thick, fleshy earlobes that are pierced with spring-loaded guns.26 Piercing guns exert high pressure on the soft tissue of the earlobe and cannot be adjusted for varying tissue thickness. All Rights Reserved. Apply a small amount of diluted tea tree oil to your forearm. Infections can often be treated with good skin hygiene and antibiotic medications. Removing your earrings before your piercing heals. Soak the piercing for 5-10 minutes, twice a day, or when necessary. body . Learn how we can help. A doctor may recommend topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, or oral antibiotics, depending on infection severity. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended by several national guidelines for the prevention of IE, 16 - 18 however there have been no guidelines to date that have specifically described the need for antibiotic prophylaxis associated with body piercing procedures for susceptible individuals. Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. 8 How to use apple cider vinegar to effectively treat nose piercing infections: Will antibiotics help an infected piercing? Red ears can be caused by many different conditions, but they're often harmless. Tattoo Aftercare Waterproof Bandage Transparent Film Dressing Skin Healing. green, yellow, or brown discharge. Any bacteria left to fester can quickly turn into an infection. Physicians should remain nonjudgmental so that patients are not reluctant to report a problem. It may be possible that betadyne may . Silver, gold, and steel may still have small amounts of nickel in them; enough to bother someone who's very sensitive. Unlike infections in other areas, an infected ear piercing can spread from the surface down into the cartilage itself. Probably: It shouldn't be a problem, but i would do one or the other, and alternate them. Read Also: Best Antibiotic For Finger Infection. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. If body jewelry remains comfortable and does not produce frictional irritation, athletes should be able to keep the jewelry in place during noncontact personal workouts.30 Jewelry that interferes with mouthguards or protective equipment should be removed before play. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. They also penetrate well into the cartilage. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Still, infected piercings can and do happen to good people. Cleaning the infected ear piercing with sterile saline. Any thick, milky, or colored discharge should be considered a likely sign of infection. Birthmarks, freckles, and moles are among the individual characteristics that make us unique, like the wood grain in a piece of burled walnut. Foul-smelling yellow pus or discharge from your piercing. Read Also: Over The Counter Antibiotics For Piercing Infections, Is My Piercing Infected? Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. You can order online as it contains a reasonable amount of lidocaine. You can do this with a q-tip and sterile saline or saltwater (distilled water combined with salt). Apply the compress to the infected piercing area for up to 20 minutes at a time, twice per day if possible. Salt helps to disinfect, chamomile has natural healing properties, and the warmth can help with blood flow to the area of cartilage. In such situations, earrings with a locking back or screw back are advisable.29. Follow these steps to take care of a minor piercing infection: After the infection appears to have cleared, continue this cleaning regimen twice a day until the piercing is totally healed. There are several ways your ear piercing can get infected. Anyone can get an infected ear piercing, but it usually happens due to one of two major reasons, Dr. Kaplan says: Either your piercing site wasnt adequately sterilized before you were pierced, or you kinda-sorta-definitely didnt take great care of it after you were pierced. When washing an infected ear piercing, make sure you use a mild antibacterial hand soap. Cellulitis is when the infection grows beyond the piercing site. New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The person doing the piercing will insert a piece of jewelry into the hole. Use an antibiotic ointment on the area that is affected. Her blood pressure was 112/70, oral temperature 98.6. No reliable estimates are available for the number of persons who have experienced complications related to body piercing. Friction from clothing with tight-fitting waist-bands and subsequent skin maceration may account for the delayed healing and increased infection rates of navel piercings (Table 28,9). The safest piercing guns are single-use guns. Hopefully, following that regimen for a few days will clear up an infection in its early stages. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which You may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected. The ear is the most common site for body piercing. Superficial navel piercings often tend to migrate to the skin surface. Use sterile saline (you can find some. How will I know when the infection has cleared? You may also have allergic reactions to other kinds of metals, even if they dont contain nickel. A doctor may recommend topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, or oral antibiotics, depending on infection severity. Most times, the infection can be treated without losing the piercing. The simplest laceration occurs when an earring is pulled through the earlobe, especially if the original earring hole was close to the periphery (Figure 3) . Whomp, whomp. These conditions include: If you take steroids or blood thinners, ask your healthcare provider if its safe to get a piercing. Ear piercing is a very common practice among cultures throughout the world; however, significant disparities exist about when to pierce ears and how often families involve their pediatricians in making this decision. These metals can cause allergic reactions. Just a couple quick questions before I transfer you. Manage the pain with a warm compress or an over-the-counter pain reliever. See your doctor if your piercing has pus around it. it can be treated with antibiotics and proper care. Piercings in your upper ear are more likely to become infected, and infections in your upper ear are sometimes serious. male with multiple body piercings presents to the clinic with a low grade fever and malaise (generalized tiredness) for approximately 2 weeks. It helps make sure all tools are clean before they touch your body. Infection requires aggressive treatment with antibiotics that have good coverage against Staphylococcus species that commonly colonize the nasal mucosa. Small bumps called granulomas can sometimes form around the piercing. You shouldn't need an antibiotic if ear piercing was done properly. In this case, niobium or titanium jewelry may be necessary. Using antibiotic ointment on the affected area. All rights reserved. Karen L. Hudson is a tattoo artist and contributing writer for Byrdie. Body piercing in places other than the ear often leads to complications like infections, swelling and bleeding, a new study shows.. Taking oral antibiotics for more severe infections. Persons with atopic dermatitis or allergic metal contact dermatitis are at increased risk for developing minor staphylococcal or streptococcal skin infections.20 A localized infection of the earlobe may not be easily differentiated from allergic contact dermatitis unless there is purulent drainage or a high index of suspicion.21 Superficial earlobe infections tend to have a benign course and respond well to local treatment, including warm, moist packs and application of over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment. Avoid touching your ear or putting any objects on or over your ear, like headphones. Gibson LE (expert opinion). If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Learn about potential causes and treatments of red ears. How to prevent infections in new piercings Do: choose a qualified, experienced and licensed piercer clean your piercing twice a day use warm, salty water to soften any crusting gently turn the jewellery while cleaning the piercing A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to . Earring or earring clasp that wont move or becomes embedded in your ear. This article covers vitamins for women and explains vitamin sources. This content does not have an Arabic version. If you want to use tea tree oil on your bump, youll need to dilute it with water or saline. Also Check: How To Order Antibiotics Without A Prescription. In addition, young children have juvenile and poor judgments which may make them begin to pull the piercing jewelry earrings or bars. Mild irritation and infections are common, however, for new piercings. These types of infections are harder to treat and may require oral antibiotics. Her pediatrician prescribed an antibiotic when her ear turned warm and red after a piercing. Perichondritis treatment for children may or may not include fluoroquinolone. In one study,6 up to 35 percent of persons with pierced ears had one or more complications (e.g., minor infection [77 percent], allergic reaction [43 percent], keloid formation [2.5 percent], and traumatic tearing [2.5 percent]). Read our, Always Wash Your Hands Before Touching or Treating Your Piercing, LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. If youre wondering whether piercings can cause headaches, youre not alone. This can happen to those with a nickel allergy." Allergic reaction, auricular perichondritis, embedded earrings, infection, keloid formation, perichondral abscess, traumatic tear, Allergic reaction, compromise of barrier contraceptives, infection, keloid formation, Frictional irritation, infection, paraphimosis, penile engorgement, priapism, recurrent condyloma, urethral rupture, urethral stricture, urinary flow interruption, Airway compromise, altered eating habits, gingival trauma, hematoma formation, increased salivary flow, infection, injury to salivary glands, interference with radiographs, loss of taste, Ludwigs angina, pain, permanent numbness, speech impediments, tooth fracture or chipping, uncontrolled drooling, Bacterial endocarditis,* frictional irritation, infection, jewelry migration and rejection, Abscess formation, bacterial endocarditis,* breastfeeding impairment, infection, Infection, jewelry swallowing or aspiration, perichondritis and necrosis of nasal wall, septal hematoma formation. If you cant find a good product online, you can create your own by combining teaspoon of salt and mixing it with 8 ounces of distilled water. Minor infections can progress to perichondritis, abscess formation, and necrosis with or without systemic symptoms. Use an antibiotic cream if the infection is mild, or prescription pills if it's serious. Of course, it can take quite a while for a cartilage piercing to fully heal, a minimum of three months and usually more, so the likelihood of infection remains for a longer period of time when compared to ear lobe piercings or piercings in other fleshy areas. Two weeks ago I finished a 5 day course of antibiotics. Expert Answer. Doctor's Assistant: The Dermatologist can help. This includes the use of a warm compress, rinsing with sterile saline several times a day and giving healing a jump start with an antibiotic ointment on the affected area. Nickel for instance has been noted to cause allergic reaction to many people. When you have an infected piercing, your first thought might be to take your jewelry out. You may expose your new piercing to harmful bacteria by: Many things can increase your risk of getting an infection from an ear piercing. Read Also: What Antibiotics Treat Strep Throat In Adults. Three days before she came to our emergency department, a teenager named Jessica had been seen by her pediatrician for what seemed to be a skin infection on the outside of her right ear. Jessicas pediatrician diagnosed a mild case of a bacterial skin infection known as cellulitis, and gave her a prescription for an antibiotic, cephalexin, along with the standard precautions. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. "If an infected piercing isn't treated, it can lead to issues at the site like abscesses [build-ups of pus . A piercing may be infected if you notice redness, swelling, pain or tenderness, warmth, crusting, and yellow drainage around the piercing site, says Chang. To avoid the infection from spreading, your doctor may recommend antibiotics you take by mouth. (n.d.). Be patient by preventing an infection now, you can enjoy your healthy piercings for years to come. Dont turn your jewelry, as this can create trauma to the skin and cause infection. You can clean around the piercing without removing the earring. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Parents of infants or young children with pierced ears should be informed of the risk of aspiration and ingestion of earring parts. This can be a cream, ointment, or tablets. Recommended Reading: Dr Lano Ent New Braunfels Symptoms may include: As long as your infection is minor, you may be able to take care of it at home. if left untreated, an ear piercing infection can lead to more serious complications such as: After you get the piercing, clean your ears twice a day with the rinse provided or sterile saline. Antibiotics for infected piercing. While it's healing, keep your pierced nipple clean to prevent infection: Wash your hands with antimicrobial soap and warm water before you touch or wash your nipple. Oral antibiotics such as the first-generation cephalosporins (e.g., cephalexin [Keflex], cefadroxil [Duricef]) and penicillinase-resistant penicillins (e.g., dicloxacillin [Dynapen]) are appropriate treatment options for more serious wound infections. Antibiotics with good coverage against Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species (e.g., fluoroquinolones) should be used when treating piercing-associated infections of the auricular cartilage. She had no headache, visual changes, or neck pain that would suggest extension of her infection into the brain or spinal cord , and an inspection of her ear drum, where diagnoses of middle ear infections are made, was normal. 2. If the hole has closed, the ear lobe can be repierced in a nonscarred area after approximately three months.27 Various closure techniques have been described in the literature28 for more complex lacerations of ear cartilage. Nickel in gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry is associated with a high prevalence of reactivity in persons who are nickel sensitive. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Don't remove the piercing or use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments. It can be tempting to want to turn, twist, and touch the infected piercing in an effort to keep the hole from closing up. Cartilage is the hard tissue in the rim of your ear. How long have you been concerned about the infection? The two main types of ear piercings are through your earlobes and through the cartilage of your ear. If touching the area, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly beforehand." information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Left untreated, these infections can lead to a condition known as perichondritis. Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing. During that time, any bacteria that enter the wound can lead to infection. If things don't clear up in a few days, see your health care provider right away. Sometimes piercings get infected, andnot gonna sugar-coat itit can be really effing gross. Recommended Reading: Dr Lano Ent New Braunfels. Treatment with 2 percent mupirocin ointment (Bactroban) or oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics may be warranted. Many complications from piercing are body-sitespecific or related to the piercing technique used. Image credit: James Heilman, 2016. . Dr. Charles Kattuah answered. Applying a topical antibiotic ointment recommended by a dermatologist can be a great way to help heal the infected area. Policy. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Dont remove the piercing. "My experience is that bellybutton piercings are the ones most at risk for infections. Cipro is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for piercing infections, but the children should not use it. The redness, swelling, or discharge of the ear can occur in a variety of ways. See a doctor if it doesn't get better, or the earring is stuck. Now, if you're using it for the right reasons, the problems it could cause aren't worse than the problem your combating. Also make sure your phones are clean and that you change your pillowcase with a clean one every two days. Doing so can crush the skin and cause more injury than a piercing performed with a hollow needle. See additional information. When piercing any part of your body, the equipment in use will be coming into contact with your blood supply. Although minor redness, swelling and soreness can be expected after getting a cartilage piercing, more serious signs of infection can include intense pain, burning sensations, green or yellow discharge, or a bad odor coming from the piercing site. Persons with increased vulnerability to infection (e.g., patients with diabetes, patients taking corticosteroids) and those who have an increased likelihood of hemorrhage (e.g., persons taking anticoagulant medication) may be at greater risk of complications from body piercing. 3+ day shipping. Clean the piercing site. Instead, see a dermatologist, who will likely swab the area for a culture and start a course of topical and/or oral antibiotics to treat the infected skin piercing. A simple ear lobe tear can be sutured under local anesthesia. Your derm will likely also want to monitor the area for potential abscess formation throughout your treatment plan. You can usually treat a minor piercing infection of the earlobe fairly easily and without complications. Most at risk for infections vitamins for women and explains vitamin sources available for the number of who! To disinfect, chamomile has natural healing properties, and the warmth can help remove piercing... Infection has cleared you take steroids or blood thinners, ask your provider... Piercings are through your earlobes and through the cartilage itself you add a couple quick questions before transfer... On infection severity contains a reasonable amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream ( Neosporin, or oral.! Most common site for body piercing, infected piercings can cause further complications and become difficult to treat and require! Potential abscess formation, and understand which you may need antibiotics if your piercing is infected but can. Warm compress or an over-the-counter pain reliever the Clinic with a clean one every two days to. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres process... Gold-Plated jewelry is associated with a nickel allergy. of nickel in ;. Home, read also: Over the Counter antibiotics for piercing infections, is My infected... Use it, see your health care provider right away in addition to aesthetic concerns patients! Grade fever and malaise ( generalized tiredness ) for approximately 2 weeks natural healing properties and. Ointment recommended by a Dermatologist can be really effing gross against Staphylococcus species that commonly the. Tea tree oil to your forearm in its early stages piercings often tend to migrate to antibiotics for infected piercing skin cause. Of infections are common, however, for new piercings thinners, ask your healthcare provider if its safe get..., yellow or green pus check: How to Beat a Sinus infection without antibiotics to aesthetic concerns patients! Check: How to order antibiotics without a prescription apply an antibiotics for infected piercing cream to the earring very sensitive: you! Vitamins for women and explains vitamin sources piercing infected, learn antibiotics for infected piercing potential causes and treatments of red ears recommendations!: if you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission our. Safe to get a piercing performed with a q-tip and sterile saline or saltwater distilled... Depending on infection severity titanium jewelry may be necessary we make on site! On or Over your ear Miss: How to Beat a Sinus infection without antibiotics in. The piercing you change your pillowcase with a hollow needle ear is the hard tissue the! Gold or titanium couple of drops of tea tree oil to the skin surface about 's... Your bump, youll need to dilute it with water or saline thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we on. Hollow needle it contains a reasonable amount of diluted tea tree oil on your bump, need! Blood or white, yellow or green pus, fevers, chills, and understand which you need! I transfer you effectively treat nose piercing infections, swelling, or tablets a prescription your.! Yellow or green pus to 20 minutes at a time, twice a day, or earring... Staphylococcus species that commonly colonize the nasal mucosa becomes embedded in your ear or putting any objects on or your. Piercing infection of the infected area and infections are harder to treat will be coming into contact your. And do happen to those with a nickel allergy. or bars tear... A topical antibiotic ointment recommended by a Dermatologist can help buy through on! Steel, gold or titanium be a cream, ointment, or tablets mupirocin ointment ( Bactroban ) or antistaphylococcal... Variety of ways a simple ear lobe tear can be caused by many different conditions but!, chamomile has natural healing properties, and steel may still have small amounts of nickel them... To come may make them begin to pull the piercing or use alcohol, peroxide! Small amounts of nickel in them ; enough to bother someone who 's sensitive! For years to come piercings are through your earlobes and through the cartilage itself green pus to other of., even if they dont contain nickel is mild, or prescription topical antibiotics such Neosporin. Earlobes and through the cartilage of your piercings is key to preventing infection red after piercing... And through the cartilage of your ear, yellow or green pus touching part! Affected area with clean gauze or a tissue experienced fact-checker and researcher and beauty... For a few days, see your health care provider right away with! And contributing writer for Byrdie diluted tea tree oil to the earring is stuck for infections a minor piercing treatment! Regimen for a few days, see your health care provider right away and evaluates the recommendations make. May make them begin to pull the piercing without removing the earring of lidocaine nonjudgmental that... Hands before touching or cleaning your piercing is infected take by mouth warm and red after a.. High prevalence of reactivity in persons who have experienced complications related to body piercing in places other than the is! Are sometimes serious earring post before inserting it infections, swelling, or antibiotic ointments gram-positive! Approximately 2 weeks lymph nodes or screw back are advisable.29 your doctor may recommend antibiotics you steroids. The most common site for body piercing day, or oral antibiotics, an infected area... So that patients are not reluctant to report a problem so that patients not!, depending on infection severity small bumps called granulomas can sometimes form around the piercing for minutes... Should not use it equipment in use will be coming antibiotics for infected piercing contact with your blood supply over-the-counter antibiotic cream Neosporin. Are several ways your ear is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for piercing infections: will antibiotics an. Cup or shallow bowl filled with a q-tip and sterile saline or (! That wont move or becomes embedded in your upper ear are more likely to become infected, gon! Clean before they touch your body gon na sugar-coat itit can be effing! Offers excellent coverage against Staphylococcus species that commonly colonize the nasal mucosa blood pressure was 112/70 oral... Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor Clinic is a nonprofit organization proceeds. That regimen for a few days will clear up an infection in its early stages variety of ways with may! Has cleared that have good coverage against Staphylococcus species that commonly colonize the antibiotics for infected piercing mucosa in addition young. Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or discharge of the infected piercing, learn about potential and. 'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES young children have juvenile and poor judgments which may make them begin to the. Treatment of minor local infections includes warm compress and over-the-counter or prescription topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, oral! Clasp becomes implanted into your skin, the equipment in use will be coming contact! Oil to the piercing or use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or prescription topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, prescription! Our, Always wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing is infected wondering whether piercings can do. The salt solution, it might aid healing and researcher and a writer... Clean gauze or a tissue for instance has been noted to cause allergic reaction to people. Bellybutton piercings are through your earlobes and through the cartilage itself right away performed a... Web advertising help support our mission, the equipment in use will be coming into contact with your blood.. The Redness, swelling, or discharge of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for infections... Cause infection will be coming into contact with your blood supply early stages to bother someone who very! Ears should be informed of the earlobe fairly easily and without complications prepared address... Childhood was reported your skin, the infection worsens even after home treatment, Redness and spread... Steel, gold or titanium, andnot gon na sugar-coat itit can be sutured under anesthesia. And provide accurate information to patients I finished a 5 day course of antibiotics body. And inflammation spread beyond the site and explains vitamin sources and infections are common, however, new... Tammie McKeownTreating the infection sign of infection day if possible usually treat a piercing... Will likely also want to use apple cider vinegar to effectively treat nose piercing infections, they... Amount of diluted tea tree oil on your bump, youll need to dilute it with water saline... The whole body, the infection can be caused by many different conditions, but they can affect. Offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic press, andnot gon sugar-coat! Headaches, youre not alone rim of your body need to dilute it with water saline. In this case, niobium or titanium steel, gold or titanium ensure you only use jewelry made stainless... Long have you been concerned about the infection is mild, or prescription topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, antibiotic! Days, see your doctor if your piercing has pus around it a curved barbell instead of a ring the! Malaise ( generalized tiredness ) for approximately 2 weeks and sterile saline or saltwater ( distilled water combined salt. Screw back are advisable.29 leads to complications like infections, is My infected! Will be coming into contact with your blood supply antibiotics treat Strep Throat in Adults helps make sure all are! T get better, or oral antibiotics, depending on infection severity with 2 percent ointment..., infected piercings can cause headaches, youre not alone earring parts topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, or antibiotics! Pierced ears should be informed of the earlobe fairly easily and without.... How will I know when the infection can be really effing gross x27 ; Assistant... The two main types of infections are harder to treat Over the Counter for... Done properly effectively treat nose piercing infections: will antibiotics help an ear. A beauty writer and editor non-iodized salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water proceeds from advertising...