Health

Ear Candy 101: Learning The Aftercare Dos And Don’ts For Ear Piercings

Maria Stoneking

Are you planning to get piercings at a tattoo shop? Piercings are getting really trendy and du jour amongst teenagers and young adults. The most common areas for them to get pierced are the lips, nose, belly button, eyebrows, and ears. Many celebrities are making people want to have ear piercings, too! Sporting multiple piercings, especially in the ears, can come in countless ways. Those pieces of accessories are undeniably a great addition to an outfit.

However, in most cases where the tattoo artist is not a professional, it causes a wide range of infections for the person pierced. One of the most frequent body parts affected and infected is ear piercings. If this happens, only an ENT specialist in Singapore can provide aid to your affected ear piercing.

The most vital question for people getting ear or nose piercings is, when should you visit an ear, nose, and throat clinic in Singapore?

GETTING YOUR EARS INFECTED

Before you book a session at a tattoo shop, keep in mind that piercings are open wounds. Since it is a cut, any type of bacteria can affect and instantly result in an infection. Here are the most frequent reasons for getting your ears infected.

Booking piercing appointments with an unprofessional artist

An infection can highly likely occur because of artists who are not really a professional. Some tattoo artists are pros at creating and designing tattoos but not in providing piercings. Ensure to look and book for a professional piercing artist. Check for reviews and feedback regarding the artist and shop to see if they are reliable. Remember, you are entrusting your ears to them, so checking for feedback is necessary.

Another reason it gets infected is an unhygienic environment or using unsterilised equipment. It may be the primary reason for you to see an ENT specialist in Singapore. Before the actual piercing session, check if their tools are sterile and if they are wearing gloves.Check if the earrings they will use and place on you come out from a new and unopened package.

Also, here is another thing. Avoid getting piercings by an artist who uses a gun. Gun piercings are the riskiest way to get your ears pierced. A professional piercing artist utilises and injects sterilised needles into your ears to cut them open.

Touching your ears with dirty hands

The first week after the session, your piercing may get really itchy and uncomfortable. While it is tempting to scratch it, never do it. Resist the urge to touch or play with your accessory. Human hands are one of the dirtiest body parts, so refrain from touching your piercing, especially when it is unhealed yet. Scratching or just one touch may introduce the infection to your piercing. If the itchiness and redness are unbearable, to the point that it starts to swell, visit an ear, nose, and throat clinic in Singapore right away.

Removing your earrings before the piercing heals

Generally, a piercing, whether which part it is, takes about six to eight weeks until it gets fully healed. Until then, refrain from removing your ear piercings. If you want to change your stud or accessory into a new one, wait until it has healed completely to prevent the risk of infection. If you need help, you can consult an ENT specialist in Singapore.

Forgetting to clean your new piercings

Proper cleaning for piercings is a crucial part. Once it heals, it is advisable to clean your entire ears, including the piercing, twice a day. Never twist the accessory so you can clean the piercing. Instead, remove the earring and clean the hole and your ears. You can use warm water to rinse it and a cotton swab or buy sterile saline and use it to clean your ears. When a sudden itch strikes even after the complete recovery, clean it right away and visit an ear, nose, and throat clinic in Singaporeto have it checked.

LEARNING THE SYMPTOMS OF EAR PIERCING INFECTION

It is easy to detect and treat minor infections, such as redness, pain, or itchiness. It can be treated successfully at home as these are typical factors of the healing process for piercings. However, if the following signs occur, seek help from an ENT specialist in Singapore ASAP. These symptoms may indicate an infection.

  • Yellow pus-like or sticky discharge coming out of the piercing
  • Fever and chills for two-three days after the piercing session
  • Warmth or burning feeling in the piercing
  • Gradual swelling or tenderness around the piercing, in the earlobe or cartilage
  • The earring does not move
  • The earring clasp embeds in your skin

If any or all of these occur to your ears and stay after a week, the best thing to do is to seek medical attention. Visit an ear, nose, and throat clinic in Singapore as soon as possible to get it treated.

TREATING-AN-EAR-PIERCING-INFECTION

TREATING AN EAR PIERCING INFECTION

Treating an ear infection, as long it is minor, maybe done even at home. You may be able to take care of it at home. Here are the following steps and ways you can do to nurse the minor infections of your pierced earrings.

  1. Wash your hands prior to cleaning your piercing. Refrain from rotating and touching it except when cleaning.
  2. Clean the pierced area with sterile saline two to three times daily. If you cannot find sterile saline online, you can DIY it by combining salt with distilled water. Avoid cleaning your ears with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, or harsh products.
  3. Clean the front, backside, and all sides of your piercing, especially near the pierced area or the hole.

If you consulted an ENT specialist in Singapore, they may also recommend:

  • A warm compress to the infected area
  • Using an antibiotic or topical ointment
  • For severe infections, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.

After the infection heals, still do the following steps until it is totally healed. A fresh piercing regularly takes six to eight weeks to recover.

Takeaway

People all over the globe are literally obsessing about piercings! If you scroll on social media, most likely, you will see several influencers or ordinary people with a piercing. Because of its trendy factor to your look, it was called ear candy. Getting piercings is one way of self-expression, but never forget to look out for the piercing aftercare dos and don’ts! If you do not want to see a sinus specialist in Singapore, take care of your piercings.

To acquire the best consultation and services for your piercings, Dr Dennis Chua got you! At their clinic, they can provide piercing infections, sleep apnea, and snoring treatment in Singapore.