How to Take Care of Pierced Ears

Getting your ears pierced can be exciting, but it's important to learn how to properly take care of them so your piercing continues to look good. Learning how to treat your piercing, when to clean it, and how to avoid infection are all important parts of caring for your ears.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Basic Care Instructions

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Did you know that you can have an allergic reaction to certain types of metal piercings? Earrings made from copper, nickel, and white gold commonly cause allergic reactions and infections in wearers.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceDermNet NZOnline clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin healthGo to source} So long as you got your ears pierced at a reputable location, you were probably given a set of gold or stainless steel earrings. However, when you are able to remove your first pair and swap them out for others, be sure only to purchase and wear high quality metal earrings that won’t irritate your skin.
While your piercing is still in the healing process, it is important to wear only post style earrings - earrings with a short metal needle and a ‘butterfly’ back to keep them in place. This style of earring is easiest to keep in your ear and doesn’t contain any heavy beading or decorative details. After 6-months of post earrings, you can begin wearing other styles such as the fish-hook or the clasp style earring back.
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Although there is some debate as to whether spinning your earring is beneficial or detrimental, doctors tend to lean towards the latter. Spinning your earring was done in the past to prevent the piercing from healing around it, therefore making it ‘stuck’. However, the earring is what prevents the skin from healing over, therefore making it very unlikely that your earring will somehow become grafted into your skin. Further, spinning the earring can irritate the skin, possibly causing infection. In general, avoid moving your earrings around too much.
^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source} For the same reason that you shouldn’t spin your earrings after being pierced, you shouldn’t remove your earrings either. Taking your earring out exposes the piercing to possible infection, and increases the likelihood that the piercing will heal over, preventing you from re-inserting the earring later on. As a result, you need to wait until your ear has completely healed and become accustomed to having the earring in all the time. You may be able to remove your posts early if your ear healed quickly, but you’ll need to speak to your piercing specialist to confirm this.
When your piercing has healed completed (after about 6-weeks, as aforementioned), you’ll want to take out your earrings every night before bed. This opens up the piercing to air circulation, which is important for preventing infection. Replace your earrings every morning though, so that the piercing does not heal over.
Getting earrings caught on things can be easy to do, especially during the weeks after getting a new ear piercing. Clothing, hair, scarves, and hats are the primary culprits, although anything near your face or head could potentially get caught. Always put on and remove articles of clothing slowly, and avoid pulling long hair away from your face very quickly. Getting something caught on your earring could possibly rip it out, causing not only significant pain but also a ruined piercing.
Cleaning your piercing on a regular basis will help stimulate healing and prevent an infection. As a result, you should use a saline solution on your ears every day, and clean your piercing with soap as needed (once a day at most) for the 4-6 week healing period.^{[3]XResearch source} After your piercing is totally healed, you can stop doing the saline solutions altogether, and clean with soap only when you experience symptoms of an infection or irritation.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Cleaning Properly

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^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source} Washing your hands properly prior to cleaning your piercing is important, so that you don’t infect the piercing. Use warm water and an antibacterial soap for sensitive skin; choose one without a scent when possible, as perfumes may irritate your piercing. Scrub your hands for 30-45 seconds before drying them off with a clean cloth.
2
Don’t remove your earring. It is recommended that for the duration of the healing process (4-6 weeks on average) that your earrings not be removed at any point in time. Taking out your earring before the piercing has healed can irritate the skin and possibly cause infection, not to mention your piercing could heal over and prevent the earring from being re-inserted. Therefore, when you clean your ears, don’t take out the piercings (no matter how tempting!).
- The metal of your earrings won’t rust or become damaged from the water or cleaning solution you use.
3
Prepare a saline solution.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source} It is recommended that you soak your piercing in a saline solution on a daily basis for the first 2-3 weeks to help prevent infection. The saline solution does a number of things, including preventing infection by increasing circulation and preventing bumps or pockets from forming around the piercing. Use non-iodized fine-grain sea salt and distilled water, as other types of salt contain ingredients that could irritate your ears. Mix ¼-teaspoon of the salt with 8-oz (1 cup) of warm water, and pour into a shot glass or small bowl.
- The ideal water temperature for the solution is drinking temperature for a warm drink - around 120 to 130 °F (49 to 54 °C).
4
Rinse your piercing with the saline solution.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source} Hold your ear in this solution for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse with clean distilled water afterwards. Doing this on a daily basis for 2-3 weeks is often enough to clean your ears and stimulate healing.
- Be sure to rinse the solution off your ear, or else the salt will re-crystallize and cause irritation afterwards.
- If your piercing is on your cartilage, it may be easier to soak a bit of gauze in the saline solution and hold it to the piercing, that to dip your ear into a cup of the solution.
5
Clean your piercing with soap. If you’re concerned about infection, you can use soap to rinse your ear in addition to the saline solution. Use a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water to gently rub around your piercing, doing so for no longer than 30-seconds. Rinse off your ear with more clean water, and then pat the piercing dry with a clean cloth or tissue.
- Don’t clean your piercing with hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, or alcohol, as these are too drying and may irritate the skin around your piercing.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
It might be tempting to put on an anti-bacterial ointment, but this could actually cause an infection. Ointment and thick creams seal over the piercing hole, preventing airflow and slowing the healing time as a result. Further, they trap dust, germs, and other airborne particles which can cause an infection. It is unnecessary to apply anything to your ears after your clean them, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Preventing Infection

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^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source} If you’re not spinning your earring or removing them (both of which you should avoid for the 6 weeks post-piercing), then there should rarely be another time you should touch them. Touching your piercing introduces bacteria that could cause an infection. Therefore, don’t play with your earrings or touch your piercing unless you’re cleaning it or swapping out your earrings.
On post earrings, the butterfly is the backing that secures the earring in place. However, putting this too tight on your ear cuts off circulation and airflow to the piercing, causing pain and possibly infection. Most post earrings have a small notch on the needle-part that shows where the butterfly should stop. In general, only push the butterfly onto the post so far as to only barely touch the back of your ear, but not to pinch it.
Even if you’re using 14-carat gold or stainless steel earrings, the metal can still become contaminated with germs that might cause infection. Therefore, whenever you put in a new pair of earrings or take yours out for a bit, you should clean them to kill possible germs. Swab them down with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and allow them to dry. Don’t do this while they’re in your ears though, as they peroxide and alcohol will dry out the skin in your ears and possibly cause an irritation.
If your piercing is new, then it is still very sensitive and can become infected from exposure to the bacteria in water. Showering is fine, but taking a soak in a hot tub or going swimming in any pool, lake, river, or sea is out of the question. These bodies of water contain harmful bacteria and chemicals that are likely to infect your ear. Wait 3-6 months after a new piercing before attempting swimming or submerging your head in water, to significantly limit the possibility of infection.
Although it may sound counterintuitive, cleaning your piercing too often may cause infection. That is because over-cleaning dries out the skin and causes an irritation, which over time may become raw and exposed to bacteria and grime that cause infection. You should clean your piercing once a day until it is healed, but doing so more than once a day can have unwanted repercussions.
Cell phones and headphones being the primary culprits, things that you put near your ears often contain bacteria that can cause infection. Clean these items with antibacterial soap or rubbing alcohol once a week, to reduce the risk of possible infection.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Recognizing and Treating Infection

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1
Determine if your piercing is infected. While some minor swelling, redness, and tenderness is normal for the first 3-6 days after a piercing, extended pain and swelling may be a sign of an infection. If you’re worried your piercing is infected, check for these symptoms:^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source}
- Pain and swelling that extends beyond the hole
- Bleeding
- Yellow discharge or a crust around the hole
- The earring becomes stuck in your ear
- A fever above 100-degrees Fahrenheit
Most piercing infections are easily treated and don’t progress to anything harmful, so long as they aren’t left to run their course. To treat an infection, use the same saline solution as you would to clean your ear shortly after getting it pierced. Mix a solution of ¼-teaspoon non-iodized sea salt with 8-ounces (1 cup) of warm water. Pour this mixture into a small bowl or shot glass and soak your ear in it for 3-5 minutes. If using a cup is too difficult, soak sterile gauze in the solution and hold it to the infection for 3-5 minutes. Repeat this up to two times a day until the infection has cleared.
Although holding ice to your infected piercing won’t reduce the infection, it will reduce the swelling and numb some of the pain. Hold an ice cube to your piercing for 5-10 minutes until the swelling has gone down. You can do this daily 2-3 times, or whenever you notice swelling.
If you’re dealing with a particularly tough infection that does not go away after 2-3 days of treatment, you may need to visit your doctor for a prescription antibiotic. If your earring is stuck in your infected ear or if it won’t stop bleeding, you should also make an appointment with your doctor.^{[10]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
How long does it take for a pierced ear to heal?
Roger Rodriguez
Piercing Specialist
Roger Rodriguez, also known as Roger Rabb!t, is the Owner of Ancient Adornments Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the Los Angeles, California area. With over 25 years of piercing experience, Roger has become the co-owner of several piercing studios such as ENVY Body Piercing and Rebel Rebel Ear Piercing and teaches the craft of body piercing at Ancient Adornments. He is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).
Roger Rodriguez
Piercing Specialist
Expert Answer
The healing time will depend on the location of your ear piercing. A piercing in your earlobe will take about 6-8 weeks to heal, while a piercing in the cartilage of your upper ear will take anywhere from 3-6 months to heal, depending on how many piercings you're getting.
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Can I take my earrings out before 6 or 4 weeks to clean them?
Community Answer
No. If you want to, you can just clean on top and around them while they're in your ears. There is no need to take them out to clean them, and it is not recommended to take them out during this period.
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What happens if I put soap on my ear and rub it off with water?
Community Answer
Nothing will happen. Just make sure you get all of the soap out of the piercing.
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Tips

Always buy high-quality gold and steel earrings, even after your piercing has fully healed.
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Never put in earrings that don't look sanitary. This may cause infection.
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Check to see that the place you are getting your ears pierced is sanitary and certified also it doesn't hurt to read the reviews.
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