It had been almost a year since i got my cartilage pierced, really took good care of it, rinsed it with sterile saline (salt water), always makes sure my hair is clean, it just always forms a bump and gets swollen no matter what so i had the courage to take it out today and it was the best feeling after. I really have bad anxiety and thats why the certified piercer who did mine gave me an informed consent and they asked if u have anxiety or depression cos now i realized it triggers it.