cartilage piercing HELP

so just under a week ago I got a new cartilage piercing on my ear. Its been fine with a little pain if I touch it. I could even sleep on it the day I got it done. But today it was raining so I put my hood on and when I took it off it snagged (is that even a word?) on the piercing and started to hurt. A few hours later its been hurting (more than usual) ever since, is this normal what should I do?

NOTE: ive been applying saline solution once every few days to the area since I got it done (maybe I should do it more often?). Also, I have touched it a few times and turned the back.

I cleaned mine out 1-2 times a day with a cotton bud dipped in saline solution and a drop of tea tree oil for months after I got mine done so you should do it more often or it'll get infected.

Thanks in the short-term is there anything that I can do to reduce the swelling/pain (if it is infected) - this goes out to anyone btw

Ice cube in a cloth near the area

Go to the doctor to be on the safe side and he/she will examine it and tell you if anything needs to be taken further. Coming on here for advice isn't probably going to do you much good to be honest.

Im going to wait for a few days first because this is the first day its happened. It might just be irritated from when i got it caught. If it doesnt 'heal' after a few days then i will take further action

Posted from TSR Mobile

Yes it's normal

I have three cartilage piercings and each healed differently

I thought an ice cube would help too!! But on the internet it says add a warm cloth and apply pressure to increase blood flow??

thank you!! Thats a relief - i really dont want to take it out.

Posted from TSR Mobile

You could but warm and damp would create a perfect environment for infection I think.

Yeah - mine is just swollen at the moment. I already put saline solution on a few hours ago. Is that a big enough interval to put it on again? Im thinking to use a cool cloth instead (put it in the fridge/freezer).

Posted from TSR Mobile

It's normal, try not to take it out without advice from your piercer or GP as the outer layers of the skin will heal over potentially leaving infection inside. Considering that it's been less than a week, swelling, pain, redness and inflammation are normal, especially if you've knocked it. If you want advice/reassurance your piercer is probably more knowledgeable than your GP, piercing-wise and they will be happy to see you again.

Saline soaks are a good idea, but try not to touch it or turn the back as often, as that's a sure fire way to get any bacteria from your hands inside your ear and turning too much will just break all of the healing tissue. Damp facecloth in the freezer will cool and soothe it. Wound wash sprays are also a good way of cleaning it as it's a no-touch method.

Thank you!!! my piercer suggested lavendar oil?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Certainly wouldn't recommend it from a medical viewpoint, use of undiluted essential oils on the skin is dangerous (and risky to get dilution correct) and doesn't allow for moisture to escape so would use with caution. Although they may have anecdotal evidence for it, I've certainly not heard of any proper evidence for use of lavender in any form for wound healing (and have worked in that area for over a year). I'd recommend sticking to saline soaks or proper wound care products such as wound washes to clear away crusty bits and would personally be wary of putting any oils near a wound.

so just under a week ago I got a new cartilage piercing on my ear. Its been fine with a little pain if I touch it. I could even sleep on it the day I got it done. But today it was raining so I put my hood on and when I took it off it snagged (is that even a word?) on the piercing and started to hurt. A few hours later its been hurting (more than usual) ever since, is this normal what should I do?

NOTE: ive been applying saline solution once every few days to the area since I got it done (maybe I should do it more often?). Also, I have touched it a few times and turned the back.