botched ear piercing

[clarabel82]

I had my ear pierced in the cartilage at the top using an "inverness system" 9 days ago. 6 days ago it became sore and swollen so I took the earring (white gold) out. the pain did not go away and I have since developed an abscess in the hole which has made my ear cartilage swell thicker than my thumb. it is very dark red and very very painful throbbing all the time. my parents have been cleaning it with sterile water and trying to squeeze to pus out but it causes me so much pain I feel sick. I have since read you are not supposed to squeeze abscesses. I was wondering whether anyone else had had this problem and how they solved it. oh btw am on a course of antibiotics with 3 days left but they seem to be having little, if no effect whatsover.

[Wisebird]

Go back to your doctor as soon as possible, or to the outpatients at your local hospital. This needs proper treatment. Don't let anybody squeeze it!!!

[clarabel82]

thankyou, I wasn't sure if I was overreacting. will try outpatients tomorrow as doctors will be closed on bank holiday I should think. will let you know outcome

[tracymort]

sounds weird but if antibiotics aren't working try manuka honey (health shops and sainsbury's have it) this honey can kill mrsa (superbug) so can help allsorts. Also if you have taken antibiotics get yourself some probiotics too.

[clarabel82]

Tracyh: do you have to eat the honey or put it on the swelling? also not sure what probiotics are, is that actimel? maybe I should have looked it up before posting!

[j2buttonsw]

You may have an ear infection from a bacterium that is resistent to the antibiotics you are currently taking. The doctor should give you a course of different antibiotics, so be sure to take the antibiotics with you when you go to the out-patients.

[londondave]

The cartilage is prone to oubursts of swelling even after a long time the piercing was done! I had mine done at the top 22 years ago, I just had my botton catilage pierced (The Conch) about 6 weeks ago and it has been fine. I use contact lens saline on my piercings regulary. The only one to give me random grief is The Tragus. (the bit on the side of the face) BTW Whats the inveness system?

[clarabel82]

London Dave : http://www.invernesscorp.co.uk/ this is the Inverness website I love the way they say "safety" catch like they are dubious themselves about it's "safety" J2buttonsw: I went to A+E earlier and was told that antibiotics take longer to reach the cartilage as there is a limited blood supply up there, they gave me some more of the same: Flucloxacillin and said to go the the ENT clinic at a different hospital, as they don't have one, if it gets no better. to clean it gently with saline or water with salt in and don't press too hard. I was suprised as I was sure they would lance it or something to relieve the pressure but they hardly touched it. I was amused by the little picture of an ear the doctor drew on the letter to give to my GP with an arrow pointing a the top "infected". ah well I'll carry on with the antibiotics and see what happens.

[Wisebird]

Glad you went clarabel. Thanks for letting us know how it went. Hope it soon gets better.x

[Amster222]

I have my cartliage done 5x in my ears. And I did them all myself. I wouldnt of tried to take it out, just chaned it to a longer stud. It kinda helps squeezing the pus, but it does get more swollen after you do it. I have a abscess on my carliage after doing it once, but I picked it off, and it got better. I'm Not telling you to do this, its just what I did. Your on antibiotics for your ear?

[clarabel82]

Amster222: Yes I'm on antibiotics, my second course and it finally looks like it might be getting better 2 weeks later. If I tried to pick off this abscess I would seriously be left with half an ear. the swelling has reduced but compared to my other ear it is still twice the size and a different shape too.