When To Go To Doctor For Ear Piercing Infection

When should you visit the doctor to treat an ear piercing infection? This usually depends on your symptoms, but the following are general guidelines to help you determine when to make an appointment with your doctor.

If your piercing becomes red and tender, looks inflamed, or oozes pus or blood, it could be infected, and you should get help from your doctor as soon as possible. A mild infection may go away on its own after you rest the pierced area and apply antibiotic ointment, but this can take several days to work.

Common symptoms and signs

Suppose you have any of these signs or symptoms, especially in combination with one another. In that case, it is very likely that you have an infection and should seek medical care: A fever. Painful tenderness and swelling in your lymph nodes. Redness and warmth around your affected area (usually your pierced hole). Discharge coming from your affected area.

An increased sensitivity to touch around your affected area. Swelling of your face, neck, or upper chest if you have a septal piercing. Ear pain spreads beyond your ear if you have a cartilage piercing. Allergic reactions to jewelry or other materials used during piercings are also potential warning signs of infections—chronic itching and redness after a new piercing heals up.

A key to avoiding infection is maintaining your body’s natural boundaries: The skin, hair follicles, and mucous membranes like those found inside our nose and mouth protect us from germs every day—but they need our help sometimes too!

Common causes of an ear piercing infection

Several factors and things can cause an ear-piercing infection. Bacteria and fungus, including staph infections, are the most common causes of an ear-piercing infection. The bacteria or fungus can enter your body through tiny cuts, abrasions or other openings in your skin.

Suppose you don’t clean your ears thoroughly with soap and water before getting pierced. In that case, you could also have skin debris on your needles that could cause an infection when they enter your body during a new piercing.

Infections are also common if you get pierced in unsanitary conditions or dirty equipment. Here are some other common causes of an earring infection. Because unless you recognize any signs of infection after getting your ears pierced, consult a doctor immediately.

Treating it early is key to avoiding complications like abscesses and scarring. Signs include redness; swelling; tenderness, pus-like discharge from your earlobe, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, headache or dizziness. These symptoms may indicate more serious complications such as cellulitis (inflammation of tissues under your skin) or necrotizing fasciitis. 

Understanding the Infection process

Ear infections seem extremely common in children and can range from mild, relatively brief issues to more serious, long-term ones. The underlying cause of most ear infections is a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. This buildup often happens when infected fluid from deeper inside your child’s middle ears tries to drain through their Eustachian tubes.

This can happen if your child has recently been sick with an upper respiratory infection (cold or sinus), allergies, or asthma; has gotten water in their ears; is taking antibiotics, or has allergies that produce extra mucus (hay fever). But sometimes, it just happens, too, without any clear cause.

Underlying conditions and complications

Some kinds of infections can have serious complications or underlying conditions. If you know you have an immune system problem, such as HIV/AIDS, or if you’re pregnant and your cartilage piercings become infected, you must see a doctor. The same goes if your piercing becomes red, hot and swollen—or if it just won’t heal.

Infections that don’t respond to antibiotics need more aggressive treatment before being cured. In rare cases, some infections may even require surgery. You will also see a doctor as soon as possible if you experience orthostatic hypotension, ringing in your ears, or hearing loss after having your ears pierced.

These symptoms could indicate something wrong with your ear besides infection and should not be ignored.

How you can prevent an ear piercing infection

If you have pierced ears, the chances are good that you’ve taken steps to make sure they heal well and don’t get infected. You might have done everything right—gone with a professional at a clean, reputable shop; followed all aftercare instructions; and avoided activities that bump or tug on your ears—but still with an infection.

It can happen to even careful piercers and people who take all necessary precautions, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as you notice a problem. Your piercings should heal quickly without causing long-term damage or leaving scars with prompt care.

When to go to the doctor for an ear piercing infection?

You can usually treat an infected ear piercing at home. If your earrings don’t feel comfortable or if there’s a discharge coming from your ears, you should see a healthcare provider for treatment. Treatment consists of cleaning and removing pus from your ears and changing your jewelry.

You may also be given antibiotics by mouth or may need oral anti-fungal medications. Ear piercing infections are not serious if you receive proper care right away.

It’s important to treat an infection before it worsens, so make sure you see a healthcare provider immediately if you have any symptoms that worry you. Infections can spread rapidly, cause permanent damage, and become more difficult to treat if they are left untreated for too long.

Conclusion

To prevent an infection from happening, take proper care of your ears before and after getting your ears pierced; clean them with a wipe or washcloth with gentle soap and water. Avoid touching or bumping your earrings because it could cause a hole or tear in them and get inside your body.

Remember that not all infections are serious and that most can be treated at home with antibiotics if needed. However, if you have any symptoms of an ear-piercing infection — including increased redness, pain, swelling or discharge — seek medical attention immediately. Treatment is typically very effective, so rest assured, knowing you will recover quickly!