Cartilage piercings are apparently significantly slower to heal than earlobe piercings because there is no direct blood supply to deliver “healing nutrients.” For this my doctor prescribed two antibacterial treatments: mupirocin ointment (similar to Polysporin) and chlorhexidine rinse.
Keeping this in consideration, do cartilage piercings ever fully heal?
‘Piercings don’t heal overnight. Ear lobes may take 8-10 weeks but cartilage takes 3-5 months to full heal. ‘Even if it looks good, it’s still healing. Cartilage heals from the outside in, making a tunnel all the way through your ear which takes time.
Additionally, are cartilage piercings hard to take care of?
Know that a cartilage piercing will require a bit more TLC than a lobe piercing. “Anything in the cartilage area is more temperamental during the healing process,” Smith says, “They feel about the same to receive, but can be more difficult to heal.”
How can I make my cartilage piercing heal faster?
USE WARM SEA SALT WATER (SALINE) SOAKS – MORNING AND EVENING
Soaking your piercing with a warm, mild sea salt water solution will not only feel good, it will also help prevent infection, reduce the risk of scarring, and speed the healing of your piercing.
How do you shower with a new cartilage piercing?
Do cartilage piercings get infected easily?
Cartilage piercings, which take place on the harder part of your ear, generally take longer to heal and can be more prone to infection.
How bad does cartilage hurt?
Cartilage piercings are more painful than ear lobe piercings but less painful than other kinds of body piercings. This is because cartilage tissue is thick and hard. So, you are bound to experience some pain and discomfort. To get an idea about how much it will hurt you, try pinching the ear cartilage area.
Why is my cartilage piercing always crusty?
Crusting after body piercing is perfectly normal—this is just the result of your body trying to heal itself. 1? Dead blood cells and plasma make their way to the surface and then dry when exposed to air. While perfectly normal, these crusties do need to be cleaned carefully and thoroughly whenever you notice them.
Which ear should I get my helix pierced?
The Helix Ear Piercing
Helix piercings—piercings that are placed anywhere on the upper outer cartilage of the ear—are often the first choice when moving from the lobe.
When can I stop cleaning my helix piercing?
The Healing Time: About three to five months, minimum, so don’t stop caring for it when it appears to be healed. The Aftercare: Treat your cartilage piercing with as much TLC as you would your lobes — just don’t quit before it’s entirely healed.
Why is my cartilage piercing swollen and throbbing?
As it heals, it may look swollen, lumpy, or like a bump. In the days immediately following a cartilage piercing, the body’s immune system triggers inflammation and swelling to heal the wound, sometimes leading to a cartilage bump. Over time, cartilage piercings may develop other bumps due to infections or scarring.
Should you twist new piercings?
Twisting the piercing breaks the newly forming flesh! … Don’t touch your healing piercings unless you have CLEAN disinfected hands! Twisting your piercing can also cause it to become irritated, inflamed, and could cause the piercing to migrate or heal crooked!
Where should I get my cartilage pierced?
Helix: Your standard cartilage piercing and the most popular style, located on the upper, outer rim of your ear. Rook: This piecing is located in the upper ear through what is known as the antihelix — aka the fold that’s right beneath the rim, or helix of the ear.
What can you not eat after ear piercing?
Don’t eat spicy, salty or acidy foods or liquids while you are healing. Avoid hot drinks such as hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Eat cold foods and drinks as they lessen swelling. Be extra careful when eating crunchy foods.
