My ear cartilage piercing is severely infected!?!
Question: My ear cartilage piercing is severely infected!?
I've had it for a year now but nothing as serious as this. I've changed the piercing many times but this time I forgot to clean the earring before putting it in! I really really DONT want the hole to close up but I also don't want to risk this infection getting 10 times worse! Should I put in the earring back in? I've sprayed it with disinfectant spray but it's not really working...any other advice? Thanks guys!
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Don't wait TOO LONG to "resort" to antibiotics. Infections involving bone and cartilage are notoriously hard to clear - the earlier you start treatment with an appropriate antibiotic - the better.
Don't take thenoseknows advice about hydrogen peroxide - it is completely ineffective against aerobic bacteria.....which are the organisms causing your infection. H2O2 only is effective aganist anaerobes which are found in intraoral infections or abscesses - but it does do a pretty good job at cleaning up dried blood or blood stains.
NOT seeking proper care from a REAL doctor can likely end up costing you your ear.......don't listen to these anti-traditionalists or you will end up being very sorry.
Oh - do NOT replace the earring - any foreign body in the infected area will retard the healing process.
I am a physician.
The LAST thing you should be worrying about is the hole closing up. These infections can spread and cause worse problems. Treat the area with hydrogen peroxide (lots of it on a cotton ball or cleansing pad) and put some calendula cream on it. Do NOT put the piercing back in. You may have to resort to antibiotics. There are thousands of cases of infected piercings daily.
Go to the emergency room...don't wait any longer