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.
Considering this, will my cartilage piercing ever heal?
Cartilage ear piercings may take up to a year to fully heal, but generally take 3-6 months (as opposed to the ear lobe, that takes just 4-6 weeks). They heal from the outside in, so even if it looks fine on the outside, you should not assume it is fully healed.
Soaks speed up wound healing. To make a salt soak, add 1/4 teaspoon of iodine-free salt to 8 ounces of warm water. Dip a clean paper towel into the mixture and apply to the piercing for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this twice a day.
Similarly one may ask, what do you do when your piercing won’t heal?
How do I know if my cartilage piercing is healing correctly?
Signs that the piercing is fully healed include the site of the piercing being normal colored and not red, swollen, or tender; no clear or yellowish fluid draining; and no pain when the area is touched. The earliest a cartilage piercing heals for most people is 3 months.
Do cartilage piercings ever stop hurting?
How long does the pain last? It is normal for your ear to hurt immediately after getting a cartilage piercing, pain that commonly lasts for two weeks to a month. Be careful to not sleep on the side that was pierced: Doing so will cause healing complications and unnecessary discomfort.
Should I pop the bump on my cartilage piercing?
The short answer to whether you should pop the bump near your cartilage piercing or not is, “no.” You shouldn’t be popping anything, especially something close to a new piercing, regardless of why it developed. Popping a sore creates an open wound right next to your piercing, which, technically, is also an open wound.
When should I give up my cartilage piercing?
Here are some of the biggest ones.
- You’ve tried to have the area pierced a number of times, but it just won’t stick. …
- You start to feel uncomfortable wearing your piercing. …
- You can’t stick to the aftercare period. …
- Your piercing constantly gets in the way. …
- Your piercing is causing health issues.
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 do I get my cartilage piercing to stop hurting?
Apply a warm compress or do a sea salt soak
A warm compress can help the infection drain and relieve pain and swelling. Soaking the infection in a warm salt solution can also help the infection heal.
How can I make my cartilage piercing heal faster?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle to promote healing.
Your body will be able to heal itself more quickly if you take good care of it. It’s always important to eat a healthy diet, but it’s especially important while you’re healing. You should also make sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Rest will help you heal.
How can I make my cartilage heal faster?
Foods that Help Rebuild Cartilage
- Legumes. For optimal joint function, it is important to beat inflammation wherever possible—inflammation is the primary source of collagen and, by extension, cartilage breakdown. …
- Oranges. …
- Pomegranates. …
- Green Tea. …
- Brown Rice. …
- Nuts. …
- Brussel Sprouts.
Why is my piercing taking so long to heal?
Piercings in certain areas take longer to heal than others. … Ear lobes, tongues and lips have some of the fastest healing times, says Tash, at four to six weeks, thanks to their high blood flow, or vascularity. Cartilage on the outer ear or nose takes longer to heal.
How do you know if your body is rejecting a piercing?
Symptoms of piercing rejection
- more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing.
- the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days.
- the jewelry becoming visible under the skin.
- the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
- the jewelry looking like it is hanging differently.
Why does my cartilage piercing keep getting a bump?
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.
