Is it normal for newly pierced ears to hurt

Of course, I'm no piercing expert — having had just one ear pierced as a kid due to my wimpish demeanour, then both earlobes pierced again in my teens, only for them to frustratingly heal up — I'm definitely not the ideal person to be asking about piercings.

So, I spoke with TJ Cantwell, a professional piercer from Studio 28 , to get the low down on how long a new piercing should be sore for. Because nobody wants an infection, so it's best to arm yourself with knowledge and act swiftly. As I suspected, Cantwell tells me over email, "Soreness is very general to the person. Some people are sore for longer than others. That is provided there are no complications with the piercing like it getting bumped or rubbed, caught on something, sleeping on it, etc.

Everyone knows their own body better than anyone else's. In fact, the irritation can also leave the ear piercing more prone to infection. So hands off! Ice is the go-to solution for all sorts of injuries, and ear piercing infections are no exception. Wrap an ice pack with a paper towel and lightly press against the infected ear. This helps to alleviate the pain and reduce swelling. Ice should only be left on for a few minutes, and should not be directly applied to the ear.

Your ears are sensitive and icing for too long can cause damage. Instead, you can do multiple short icing sessions throughout the day.

It is best to wait at least 15 minutes between icings. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil can help reduce fever, pain, and swelling.

But the timing needs to be right. Avoid taking them for at least 24 hours before a piercing and for 7 days after the piercing.

While they can alleviate the symptoms, they can also prevent proper healing if taken too soon after the piercing. For the first week after your piercing, you are better off using ice and salt or chamomile soaks.

A salt or chamomile soak serves a dual purpose. For one, it relieves the swelling, redness, and pain. Secondly, it helps to clean the infected piercing. A salt soak is generally more effective, but chamomile is better for sensitive skin. You can do as many chamomile soaks per day as desired, but only 2 salt soaks are recommended per day.

NeilMed Neilcleanse Piercing Aftercare saline spray helps in healing piercings. It is an isotonic, drug-free, preservative-free solution for cleaning your piercing during the healing period with no burning or stinging to irritate the pierced area. The sterile saline solution can be used as part of your healing process with any fresh piercing, including ear piercings, nostril piercings and belly button piercings. Neilcleanse sprays in any direction for easy use without touching your piercing.

Get Yours Today. Cleaning is one of the most important aspects of taking care of your piercings. Ear lobe piercings can take weeks to fully heal, and ear cartilage piercing 4 months to a year. Follow proper aftercare throughout this period. You can also benefit from a gentle, unscented glycerine soap in the shower. Use after washing your hair and body, this will allow it to wash away any soap or shampoo residue. If infection is suspected, never remove the jewellery until after the infection and piercing fully heal.

The skin can heal over the infection, preventing fluid from draining. This can lead to an abscess and a more severe infection. If needed, they can prescribe antibacterial medication. Fill out the form below to book a free consultation or tell us your idea. Sorry, there was an error submitting your answers. Please try again later or try calling one of our locations for assistance.

The best way to finalize your design, pick the right artist, and book your appointment is to set up a free tattoo consultation. Chose the studio closest to you. The best way to finalize your design, pick the right artist, and book your appointment is to set up a free tattoo phone consultation. Choose the studio closest to you. To book a time in one of our piercing studios use one of these links. Please note, due to COVID restrictions it is necessary to have an appointment when visiting our studios.

For any Scalp Micropigmentation related questions, please contact us via the form below. Our staff will be happy to help with any questions that you may have. For any Microshading or Microblading related questions, please contact us via the form below. Taking Bookings Tentatively for June 1st, Learn More.

Read More. About the author Chronic Ink is an award—winning tattoo shop that specializes in custom tattoo designs. You might also like Some people feel confused as to whether or not they Return to Blog. Tell Us Your Idea Fill out the form below to book a free consultation or tell us your idea. Name Please enter your first name. Email Please enter your email. Phone Please enter a valid phone number.

If you have a fear of needles or pain, we can certainly give you a numbing cream ahead of time. But in general, most people are fine with just ice. This is more of a cultural consideration than a medical one. Good ear care is important. To prevent it, follow these three tips:. Clean the area twice daily with mild soap and water. If you take a morning shower , clean it then and again right before bed. You can also use those little rubbing alcohol squares. Avoid using antibiotic ointments unless directed by a doctor — you can develop allergies to them if you use them too long.

After that, only take earrings out for short periods because the holes can still close fast. Fourteen-carat gold, medical-grade steel and titanium are the best.

They should not contain alloys such as nickel which you often find in costume jewelry because you can develop a sensitivity. But your ears should look and feel better each day. That may not necessarily be the person who pierced you. Seek out your primary care provider, dermatologist or even an urgent care facility. But some jewelry and department stores, as well as tattoo or piercing shops, pierce ears, too. Getting your ears pierced is a low-risk procedure.