Like other ear piercings, daith piercings are constantly exposed to bacteria from your hair, hats, phone, and more. This can of infection.A daith piercing is done by puncturing the cartilage tissue directly outside of your ear canal. This tissue is thicker and denser than the cartilage on your lobe and other outer edges.There’s also less blood flowing to this part of the ear, which can process.
A piercing infection is a body reaction to unwanted bacteria getting into the fresh wound. Usually, an infected piercing has pus on it, damaged tissue or redness, which indicates that something has gone wrong. Upper ear piercings through cartilage are more likely to get infected than earlobe piercings. Cartilage is more susceptible to infection, as well as more difficult to treat if infection does occur. Because cartilage receives less blood flow, it must depend on surrounding healthy tissue for oxygen.
A typical daith piercing can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months to heal, and you’re to experience during this time.If you’re concerned that your piercing might be infected, read on to learn how to identify the symptoms and prevent further complications. There’s a big difference between an irritated and an infected piercing. An irritated piercing may appear red and sensitive to the touch. Irritation generally doesn’t need treatment and goes away on its own in a few days.The area may be infected if this irritation persists or you experience:.
extreme sensitivity or pain when touched. warm or hot tissue around the piercing.
yellow, green, or brown discharge. swelling around the piercing. unusual smell around the piercing. fatigue.
fever of 101°F (38°C) or higher. If you suspect your piercing may be infected, don’t try to wait it out. This will prolong your discomfort and may lead to further complications.You should never try to drain pus or fluid from the infected area. This can make the infection worse.If your symptoms are severe, see your doctor. They may prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection.Mild infections can usually be treated at home. Here are some things you can do to help clear a mild infection. Clean the areaCleaning the infected area is your first line of defense against the infection spreading.Always wash your hands thoroughly with gentle soap and warm water before touching the piercing.
Once your hands are clean, gently clean the area with your piercer’s recommended cleanser or a soap formulated for sensitive skin.Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based cleansers.Make sure you clean the entire area around the piercing, including the area directly outside your ear canal. Then use a clean cloth or gauze to dab the area dry.Repeat these steps three times a day until the infection clears up. Apply a warm compress or do a sea salt soakA warm compress can help the infection drain and relieve pain and swelling. If you suspect an infection, you should not remove the jewelry. Removing the jewelry will often cause the piercing site to close up, making it impossible to reinsert jewelry at that site. If treated promptly, most infections will clear up quickly.If you aren’t experiencing drainage, fever, or significant pain, the irritation may be the result of an allergic reaction. Your piercer can assess your symptoms and determine whether it’s necessary to change out the jewelry.
Judith Marcin, MD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Ear piercings are a great way to express yourself, but sometimes they come with unwanted side effects, like an infection. If you think you have an ear infection, the first thing you should do is contact your doctor for advice. Keep the piercing clean at home to help promote a speedy recovery. Piercings in the cartilage of your ear are particularly prone to serious infection and disfiguring scars, so in these cases it is especially important to see your doctor immediately if you suspect an infection. X American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities While the piercing is healing, make sure that you don’t injure or irritate the site of the infection.
In a few weeks, your ears should be back to normal.