There is a healing period after our bodies are injured, and the same is true for ear piercings. If proper care is not taken during the wound healing period, it is easy to develop wound infection and suppuration. After getting an ear piercing, you should avoid getting your ears wet and apply iodine to disinfect them, in order to better prevent infection. An infected ear piercing can be quite painful. So what should you do if your ear piercing becomes infected and suppurates? Let's take a look below.

Tips for Treating Infected Ear Piercings

1. Avoid Getting Water: After developing inflammation and suppuration in the ear piercing, avoid contact with cold water when showering or washing your face to prevent worsening of the inflammation. When washing your face, avoid splashing water on your face and instead use a warm towel to gently clean around the ear. Before showering, you can apply a small amount of erythromycin ointment to the piercing and the surrounding area, wear a shower cap, or visit a hairdresser to have a professional assist you with cleaning. If water accidentally gets on the piercing during cleaning, use a hairdryer to dry it off and then clean the piercing with disinfectant such as iodophor before applying a small amount of erythromycin ointment.

2. Prevent Secondary Infection: After developing inflammation and suppuration in the ear piercing, avoid going to crowded places or areas with a lot of dust, such as construction sites or during cleaning days. Do not use ear covers or ear muffs that have been worn by others to avoid worsening the infection.

3. Avoid Stimulating Objects: If you have friends who wear earrings, temporarily avoid wearing earrings or other jewelry on your ears, especially if you have a sensitive constitution and are allergic to non-silver jewelry. This will help avoid further irritation of the ears and prevent worsening of the inflammation and suppuration.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning: When inflammation occurs in the ear, you can purchase cotton swabs, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and iodophor from a pharmacy. Use the cotton swab to apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the affected area and gently wipe it, followed by applying iodophor. The main purpose of hydrogen peroxide is to kill anaerobic bacteria, and iodophor also has antibacterial properties, which can effectively prevent and reduce inflammation and suppuration in the ear piercing.

5. Erythromycin Ointment Treatment: When inflammation occurs in the ear piercing, you can use a cotton swab dipped in iodophor to clean the piercing and the surrounding area, and then apply erythromycin ointment. Erythromycin ointment is suitable for the treatment of suppurative skin diseases such as boils and has a significant effect on treating inflammation and suppuration in ear piercings.

6. Oral Medication: If you notice inflammation and suppuration in your ear piercing, not only topical treatment should be applied, but for individuals with poor immunity, it may be necessary to take oral medication to enhance the body's antibacterial and antiviral abilities. It is best to use medication under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist. Commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs include levofloxacin and Yandi.