Infected ear piercings

[Anonymous]

My dd had her ears pierced a month ago at Piercing Pagoda and they are now infected. We removed the earrings yesterday bc the backings were nearly absorbed into the back of her ears. Should we let the piercings close up and then have them pierced again? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

No. Use hydrogen peroxide and neosporin. Put simple allergy free small earrings in to prevent closing. It’s happened to me a few times.

[Anonymous]

You have to clean your ears a few times a day with an ear piercing solution for weeks until it is completely healed. I used bacticine but now other gentle sprays for kids are available.

[Anonymous]

Provon soap, H2Ocean piercing spray 2-4 times a day. Try Blomdahl or other hypoallergenic earrings.
I’d want earrings to stay in if possible— so the holes won’t close before the infection is dealt with. If she wants to let the holes close, wait until there have been no signs of infection for at least a week or so.

You don’t mention your daughter’s age, but for a younger child I would speak with her pediatrician asap.

[Anonymous]

Consider that she may have metal allergies. I had repeated infections in childhood because didn't figure that out fast enough and now I can only tolerate titanium and plastic posts.

[Anonymous]

Is it an infection or an allergic reaction to the metal? My DD had similar and it was an allergic reaction to nickel.

[Anonymous]

Use neosporine and 14/18kt small gold hoops.

[Anonymous]

NOT Neosporin - any derm out there will tell you there are many people allergic to it. Go with Bacitracin instead.

And, it could be a nickle or copper allergy, so use gold (the good stuff, not plated), titanium or surgical steel posts when she does get them re-pierced,

[Anonymous]

I agree that she is likely allergic to the metal. Get solid gold earrings and keep it clean.

[Anonymous]

In addition to the suggestions about gold/titanium, try different closures. My ears cannot handle studs, something about that type of closure sets my ears off (and my DD has the same issue). We can only wear lever type closures, in gold or titanium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOT Neosporin - any derm out there will tell you there are many people allergic to it. Go with Bacitracin instead.

And, it could be a nickle or copper allergy, so use gold (the good stuff, not plated), titanium or surgical steel posts when she does get them re-pierced,

PP whose DD has a nickel allergy. Surgical steel has some nickel too. My DD can only wear high grade titanium. Lots of options on Amazon. We let her holes close up and re-pierced them a few years later. I probably could have waited for the swelling to resolve and used titanium in the same holes.

[Anonymous]

I'd say you have two options:

(1) Get solid 14K or 18K gold or titanium earrings (preferably small hoops or leverback/Euro back earrings rather than studs). Leave them in the ears while infection heals. Keep the piercings clean and use H2Ocean until everything is healed up.

(2) Remove earrings and allow everything to heal. If the holes close up during this time, you can have them re-pierced. I recommend a professional piercing studio that uses needles rather than those piercing guns they use at the mall.

[Anonymous]

Definitely reach out to the pediatrician. I'm sure they've dealt with this numerous times.

I'd recommend NOT letting the holes close.

Did Piercing Pagoda give you any "after care" instructions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Use hydrogen peroxide and neosporin. Put simple allergy free small earrings in to prevent closing. It’s happened to me a few times.

DO NOT DO THIS, it's terrible advice. Hydrogen peroxide will damage the skin, and many people are allergic to Neosporin.

Remove the piercing, go see the pediatrician or do a telemedicine appointment for real medical advice.

[Anonymous]

SEE A DOCTOR. You're receiving terrible advice here.