Why is the skin around my piercing itchy?

Contact dermatitis: contact dermatitis is an allergic skin reaction. It is fairly common. It is most often caused by nickel. Nickel may be in some piercing jewelry.

Is it normal for ear piercings to itch?

It’s normal to notice some itching and tenderness when it comes to new ear piercings. During the first weeks, your piercing might look slightly red or produce a crusty discharge as it heals. If you have a high ear piercing or cartilage piercing, you may also notice a small bump that forms around the piercing.

Why is my ear piercing hard and itchy?

This is probably a minor infection that you could try treating at home, unless the piercing is through cartilage. Cartilage is the hard tissue in the rim of your ear. Seek medical care for a cartilage piercing that is painful, itchy, red and swollen.

How do I know if my piercing is infected or irritated?

Signs of an infection

1. Increased redness and swelling.
2. The area is warm and painful to touch.
3. Severe bleeding.
4. White, green, or yellow pus.
5. Fever and chills.

What does an allergic reaction to a piercing look like?

Piercing Location and Symptoms These allergic reactions usually include red, itchy, and/or flaky skin at the site of contact with the jewelry.

How do you treat an irritated ear piercing?

Management and Treatment

1. Applying a warm compress to the infected earlobe or cartilage.
2. Rinsing the infected earlobe with sterile saline.
3. Using antibiotic ointment on the affected area.
4. Taking oral antibiotics for more severe infections.

Why is my old piercing irritated?

An infected ear piercing can also develop years after a person got the original piercing. Usually, the infections are minor, and people can treat them at home without complications. Touching the piercing too often with dirty hands or not cleaning the area can lead to infections.

How do you heal an irritated piercing?

Follow these steps to take care of a minor piercing infection:

1. Wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing.
2. Clean around the piercing with a saltwater rinse three times a day.
3. Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments.
4. Don’t remove the piercing.

How long does it take for an irritated piercing to heal?

How do I know if my ear piercing is infected or irritated? It’s normal for a new piercing to be somewhat tender, reddish, or itchy for the first few weeks. It takes around 6 to 8 weeks for a new ear piercing to heal. It can take even longer for cartilage piercings — around 3 to 4 months.

Why does my ear piercing still hurt after years?

How long do irritated piercings last?

It’s normal for a new piercing to be somewhat tender, reddish, or itchy for the first few weeks. It takes around 6 to 8 weeks for a new ear piercing to heal. It can take even longer for cartilage piercings — around 3 to 4 months.