How to Properly Care for Pierced Ears
If you’re reading this, you’re probably either considering getting your ears pierced or you’ve just gotten your ears pierced and the reality is starting to set in; now you’re panicking and you’re trying to find out how to care for these shiny new additions without experiencing any of those horrid infections!
Well we’re here to help you on your journey and hopefully, by following our recommendations, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and fun of having pierced ears without any unnecessary pain!
Things to consider before getting your ears pierced
If you’re in the category of people who are still considering getting a piercing, you should probably check if you have any allergies first.
About 10 - 20 percent of our population already has a nickel allergy which could result in irritations such as blistering, redness of and or dry skin. Not only that, but it is reported that the more you are exposed to metals, the higher your chances of possibly developing an allergy to it (especially nickel). That means people with more piercings could possibly start experiencing the same symptoms listed above even if they hadn’t before.
The best way to avoid allergic reactions is to either purchase earrings made of Surgical-quality stainless steel due to it’s very low nickel content, platinum, sterling silver 925, titanium, niobium or earrings made with 14-18 karat gold. It is also highly recommended that if you wear earrings made of lower quality materials you only wear them once your piercing has fully healed and for no more than a day or two at a time. This will lower the chances of you experiencing any allergic reactions.
If you are extremely allergic to any type of metal, you could always use plastic, acrylic or silicone substitutes. Though, the silicone material tends to be softer than your typical rigid earring.
How long does it usually take for a piercing to heal?
Depending on where on the ear you get the piercing it could take more or less time. Usually, piercings made in the general lobe area heal most quickly, taking between 1 - 2 months to fully close up. However, if you’re really worried about infections or the new piercings healing/ closing up, you should wait at least 6 weeks before changing the earrings or even taking them out.
Cartilage piercings on the other hand can take up to 6 months to fully heal, sometimes even as long as a year in more sensitive or delicate areas such as the helix or tragus. Unlike lobe piercings, cartilage piercings are usually more painful and you’ll want to be more careful with keeping them clean.
While neither piercing will result in a very pleasant infection if one should occur, cartilage piercings are ones you’ll want to avoid much much more!
How long should you wait before taking them out or changing your earrings?
The amount of time you should wait before changing out your earrings can vary greatly between people. It all really depends on how long it takes your body to heal after the initial piercing event. If you’re really unsure, you can always wait the initial 6 weeks and then consult a piercing specialist or the person who did it for you originally so they can give you a more definite answer based on how it looks at the point.
If at any point during the first 6 weeks of your piercing you start to experience any allergy or infection symptoms such as puss resulting in yellowish or whitish discharge, pain past the first 2 weeks mark around the piercing area, redness, swelling, dry sensitive skin, etc.; you should immediately consult a doctor as you may have to take the piercing out or treat the infection.
How to care for your piercings in the first 6 weeks
The first 2 weeks are arguably the most important when it comes to ensuring the healing process goes smoothly. This doesn’t mean you won’t develop any infections past this point, it’s just the period in which you are most susceptible as the wound is quite raw and exposed still.
- During the first 6 weeks, and in general really, always make sure to wash your hands before touching your earring or the piercing site.
- Make sure to buy proper ear cleaning solution as well and use a cotton swab or ball to dab at the area to keep it clean and free of bacteria. Again, this is very important in the beginning; you’ll want to clean your ears with the solution at least once a day, if not twice (once in the morning when you wake up and once in the evening before bed).
- After washing your hands, make sure to twist your earrings in your ear every now and then (ideally once a day). This makes sure your ear doesn’t heal over the earring which makes it painful to take out later.
- Do not take the earrings out for the first 6 weeks unless you suspect infection or allergy and a doctor recommends you take them out. Do not change your earrings before the piercing has healed fully.
Other things you might want to know before getting your piercing
One thing you should know before piercing your ears is that occasionally, some people have had their piercing heal (resulting in the hole closing up) even after the first 6 weeks of consistently wearing an earring. This is usually the result of not wearing any earrings for extended periods of time.
If you’re afraid of this happening to you, get yourself a particular pair of stud earrings that you find comfortable to wear at night and are made from either a high quality metal for sensitive ears or an approved metal substitute. Also don’t leave your earrings out for too long to avoid any chances of the hole closing.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of how to properly care for your ears, why not look ahead and treat yourself to some cute earrings that you’d like to wear! Check out our store and click here shop today!
