How do Tragus Piercing infections spread?
Piercing the tragus, or small cartilage nub of the ear is becoming more popular. Tragus piercings frequently become infected, despite the fact that they look great once healed.
This could be due to the fact that hanging hair exposes piercings along the ear to more bacteria. Not only can dirty hair introduce new bacteria to a new piercing, but shampoos and other hair products can irritate the area as well.
Hanging hair can also become entangled in a tragus piercing and irritate it. This can impede wound healing and make your piercing more prone to infection.
Continue reading to find out what symptoms to expect during the healing process, as well as how to identify and treat an infection.
How to identify an Infection?
It is normal to experience the following symptoms in the first two weeks following your piercing:
- A brief throbbing
- Slight discomfort
- Redness
- Slight warmth or heat
- Discharge that is clear or light yellow
Although your piercing will not be completely healed for about eight weeks, these symptoms should only last a week or two after the piercing. If you notice any unusual changes, contact your piercer as soon as possible.
You should also see your piercer if you experience any of the following infection symptoms:
- Swelling that lasts more than 48 hours is an uncomfortable and persistent warmth.
- Ongoing inflammation and redness at the site.
severe pain, excessive bleeding, with or without pus - A bump at the front or back of your piercing site.
- Pus with a dark color or odor.
Your piercer is the best person to give you information about your treatment options. There are a few things you can do until then.
What are the symptoms of Tragus Piercing?
People who have had their tragus pierced should be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of infection so that it can be treated and managed. A person must understand what to expect after a tragus piercing in order to identify an infection.
It is normal to have the following symptoms for about 2 weeks:
- Throbbing and discomfort in the surrounding area redness and heat radiating from the area clear or light yellow seepage from the wound
- These are all common signs that the body is starting to heal the wound.
- Although it may take up to 8 weeks for the wound to heal completely, these symptoms should not last longer than 2 weeks.
Infection may be present if a person has:
- Swelling that persists after 48 hours
- heat or warmth that does not go away or intensifies
- Inflammation and redness that persists after two weeks
- severe discomfort
- excessive bruising
- Yellow or dark pus seeping from the wound, especially pus emitting an unpleasant odor
- a bump that can appear either in front or behind the piercing site.
Anyone who suspects they may have an infection should seek medical attention.
How to Treat an Infected Tragus Piercing
Most people’s instinctive reaction to learning they have an infection is incorrect. What exactly is this instinctive reaction? Take your jewelry out.
When you have an infected piercing, it may appear that removing your jewelry is a good idea, but if your piercing is new, this can allow it to close up.
If your piercing closes, the infection will be trapped inside and will be unable to heal properly. Before removing your jewelry, consult with your body piercing professional.
The best treatment plan is the same as your aftercare routine, which includes regular but not excessive cleaning. 2-4 times per day, apply a sea salt/saline soak to the affected area.
If you’d rather not make your own solution, there are plenty of options available in-store and online.
The After Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray is the best aftercare product I’ve used. It’s not only vegan, but it’s also free of alcohol and additives. The solution is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and comes in a large mist-spraying bottle for easy application. The spray helps to reduce healing times and aims to eliminate any lingering pain or soreness when used from the beginning of the healing process.
How to Prevention of Tragus Piercing Infection
Preventing tragus-piercing infections is not as difficult as you might think. The main point to remember is to have your tragus piercing done by a trained professional.
True professional body piercers know how to perform the piercing correctly and will advise you on proper aftercare.
When you have your tragus pierced by an experienced professional, the small extra charge is well worth it in the long run.
The jewelry you wear will also have a big impact on whether or not you get an infection. To avoid allergic reactions, choose hypoallergenic materials such as stainless steel and titanium for your jewelry.
Summary
Tragus piercings heal very quickly and without complications in the vast majority of cases.
However, if you do not follow your aftercare instructions, do not have your piercing done by an experienced professional, or do not respond to infection immediately by following your body piercer’s instructions, you can significantly increase your risks.
