1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Cartilage piercing

Posted by aida67674 @aida67674, Jun 21, 2022

So I recently just got my cartilage pierced and everything has been good until a week later. A scab showed up under the piercing and is now spreading to the other piercings. I put alcohol on it but it doesn’t seem to be working. Am I allergic to the piercing?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 21, 2022

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I don't know if you will hear from anyone with this exact problem, but let's talk a little about it.
First of all, cartilage has a very poor blood supply, so healing can take a while. Next, alcohol is very drying and irritating to the skin, so daily use while healing can cause its own set of problems. Given the way this is spreading, you may be allergic to the piercing, or be reacting to the alcohol. Do you know what metal is in the stud and post? What about the back? Often these are rubber, and you may be reacting to it.
If this was my ear, I would remove the piercing, wash the area carefully with mild face cleanser or soap 3X daily and treat it with an antibiotic cream for about 3 days. If it doesn't improve or continues to spread, see a doctor. Skin infections, if they get a good start and do not respond to basic antibiotics, can spread and become serious.
Was this a self-piercing, or done by a friend, or done in a shop? If it was a shop, you might ask them for advice...
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
aida67674 | @aida67674 | Jun 23, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Welcome to Mayo Connect. I don't know if you will hear from anyone with this exact..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I don't know if you will hear from anyone with this exact problem, but let's talk a little about it.
First of all, cartilage has a very poor blood supply, so healing can take a while. Next, alcohol is very drying and irritating to the skin, so daily use while healing can cause its own set of problems. Given the way this is spreading, you may be allergic to the piercing, or be reacting to the alcohol. Do you know what metal is in the stud and post? What about the back? Often these are rubber, and you may be reacting to it.
If this was my ear, I would remove the piercing, wash the area carefully with mild face cleanser or soap 3X daily and treat it with an antibiotic cream for about 3 days. If it doesn't improve or continues to spread, see a doctor. Skin infections, if they get a good start and do not respond to basic antibiotics, can spread and become serious.
Was this a self-piercing, or done by a friend, or done in a shop? If it was a shop, you might ask them for advice...
Sue

Jump to this post

It was in a piercing shop and I kinda wanna keep the piercing in and wait till it heals. I’m also not sure what kinds metal it is. I have also attached a picture of what it looks now. Thank you for the advice.
REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 23, 2022
In reply to @aida67674 "It was in a piercing shop and I kinda wanna keep the piercing in and wait..." + (show)
@aida67674

It was in a piercing shop and I kinda wanna keep the piercing in and wait till it heals. I’m also not sure what kinds metal it is. I have also attached a picture of what it looks now. Thank you for the advice.

Jump to this post

The downside is the location, close to scalp ear and lymph nodes. If it is an infection it could be bad. If someone can watch it in person for you for evidence that it is healing (new skin growing, less redness, less swelling and scab drying up) it might be OK to see for a few more days. This is not something I am comfortable advising you from a photo, but if you were my daughter or sister, I would advise you to be safe and remove. Do you know someone you could ask to watch it carefully for you?

REPLY
1 reply
aida67674 | @aida67674 | Jun 23, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "The downside is the location, close to scalp ear and lymph nodes. If it is an..." + (show)
@sueinmn

The downside is the location, close to scalp ear and lymph nodes. If it is an infection it could be bad. If someone can watch it in person for you for evidence that it is healing (new skin growing, less redness, less swelling and scab drying up) it might be OK to see for a few more days. This is not something I am comfortable advising you from a photo, but if you were my daughter or sister, I would advise you to be safe and remove. Do you know someone you could ask to watch it carefully for you?

Jump to this post

Yes right now I am visiting my sister and she has been checking in it everyday. If it gets any worse I guarantee I will take it out. Thank you for your time and advice!!

REPLY
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