Top 10 Tips for Cleaning an Ear Piercing

It’s best to clean a piercing by gently dabbing a cotton swab soaked in a salt solution. Avoid cleaning with fragrant soaps. Before you start, wash your hands and avoid touching surfaces that may have bacteria.

Ear piercings are one of the most common types of piercings. Their possible locations include the earlobe, the curve of cartilage at the top of the ear, and the folds just outside the ear canal.

Although they’re very popular and relatively safe, you still need to treat your piercing with care and attention to avoid any complications.

This article will focus on top tips for cleaning an ear piercing and signs to watch out for that may indicate an infection. And if you’re not sure whether you’re ready for a piercing (or exactly where to get it), we’ll help you with that, too.

What to consider before your piercing

The first thing you should consider is where to place your piercing.

Here are some popular options:

Earlobe. This is the go-to ear piercing spot at the bottom of your ear. This piercing is easy to clean and take care of, and it heals much faster than other ear piercings.
Helix. This is the curvy tissue at the very top of the ear. It falls into second place after the lobe piercing in popularity. It heals a little more slowly than a lobe piercing but is still easy to keep clean.
Tragus. Right above your earlobe, this harder section of your ear is on the edge of your face and right in front of your ear canal. It’s not as common as the lobe or helix for piercing, and it’s a little more difficult to take care of. There’s some anecdotal evidence that a tragus piercing may have benefits for those with anxiety and migraine.

Once you figure out what kind of piercing you want, do some research on piercing studios. Here’s a brief checklist of what to look for:

Are there licensed piercers on staff? They should be certified by the Association of Professional Piercers.
Is the shop reputable? Do they have good reviews on Yelp or other sites? Do they specialize in piercings? Avoid retail stores that offer piercings, as they may not be clean, safe, or even licensed. You may want to look at tattoo shops, too. Many of them have licensed piercers and are highly regulated by state and local health agencies.
Do the piercers take proper safety precautions? Do they wash their hands, wear a new pair of medical-grade gloves for each piercing, and use new, sterile needles for each piercing?

Tips for cleaning an ear piercing

Now that you’ve gotten your piercing, it’s important to take care of it. The first few weeks are crucial to making sure it heals properly. Here are our top 10 tips for cleaning an ear piercing to avoid infection.

Top 10 tips for cleaning an ear piercing

Clean your piercing when you do other regular hygiene habits. Clean it when you brush your teeth or take a shower to give yourself a gentle reminder every day.
Wash your hands. Wash with warm water and gentle soap before you touch your piercing to avoid introducing bacteria to the area.
Clean with a clean cotton pad or swab dipped in salt solution. You can make this solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Use this around the pierced area a few times a day to remove any bacteria.
Dab (don’t wipe) the piercing. Dry with a clean towel or tissue so you don’t damage the tissue while it’s healing.
Avoid using perfumed soaps. Clean the skin around the piercing with a mild antiseptic soap and water.
Clean the pierced area whenever you take the piercing out. This includes when you put it back in, too. Bacteria can quickly get on jewelry when you expose it to the air or set it on a surface like a counter or table.
Don’t clean your piercing in the bathroom. This is especially true of public ones. Even the cleanest home bathrooms usually have high concentrations of bacteria.
Don’t lie on the pierced area for long periods of time. Sleeping or lying down on your piercing can trap moisture or bacteria in the area, increasing your risk for infection.
Don’t get any hair or body products in the piercing area. Be careful when you use shampoo, soap, gel, pomade, hairspray, or other products that can get near the piercing and irritate the tissue.
Watch out for any abnormal or discolored discharge. See your piercer or doctor right away if you notice any unusual discharge as it might be a sign of an infection.

How long does it take an ear piercing to heal?

Earlobe piercings are the quickest to heal. They typically take about 1 to 2 months to fully heal.

Cartilage piercings elsewhere on your ear will take longer to heal. It may take up to 6 months or even 1 year before a helix or tragus piercing is fully healed.

While your piercing is still healing, don’t take your jewelry out for an extended period. Doing so may cause the hole to close.

When can you change out your jewelry?

The answer to this question is different for everyone. It all depends on how fast you heal and what kind of piercing you got.

If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to change out your jewelry, ask your piercer about a month or two after you got your piercing. They can examine the area and give you a definitive answer.

How can you tell if your piercing is infected?

The typical symptoms of an infected piercing include the following:

aching or throbbing pain in and around the piercing
swelling
redness
itching
burning
abnormal yellowish or whitish discharge

See your doctor right away if you think your piercing is infected.

video link below in this story

Getting a new piercing can be exciting, but maintaining it properly is crucial to avoid infections and ensure it heals well. Whether it’s a simple ear lobe piercing or a more intricate body piercing, the key to healthy healing lies in proper aftercare, and cleaning is a huge part of that. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to clean your piercings safely with 10 tips that everyone should follow.

1. Wash Your Hands Before Touching Your Piercing

The first and most important rule of piercing care is always to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing. Your hands carry bacteria and oils that can easily infect a new piercing. Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap and wash for at least 20 seconds. This simple precaution can prevent most common piercing infections.

2. Use Saline Solution for Cleaning

One of the gentlest and most effective ways to clean your piercing is by using a saline solution. You can either buy a pre-made saline solution from a pharmacy or make your own by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 1 cup of warm, distilled water. Apply the saline solution with a clean cotton ball or gauze pad to gently clean the area around the piercing.

3. Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals or Alcohol

While it may be tempting to use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptic solutions to clean your piercing, these can be too harsh. They dry out the skin, slow the healing process, and may even cause scarring. Stick to saline solution or other products recommended by your piercer to avoid irritating the piercing.

4. Clean Twice a Day, Not More

Over-cleaning a piercing can be just as harmful as not cleaning it at all. Cleaning your piercing twice a day is enough—once in the morning and once before bed. Too much cleaning can disrupt the natural healing process, drying out the skin and causing irritation. Follow your piercing professional’s advice on how frequently to clean your particular piercing.

5. Use a Cotton Swab or Gauze, Not Cotton Balls

When cleaning around your piercing, opt for a cotton swab or a piece of gauze rather than a cotton ball. Cotton balls tend to leave behind fibers that can get stuck in the piercing, leading to irritation or infection. A cotton swab can help you get into the crevices of the piercing and clean it without leaving any residue behind.

6. Let the Piercing Air Dry

After cleaning your piercing, avoid wiping it dry with towels or tissues, which can carry bacteria. Instead, allow the piercing to air dry naturally. You can gently pat the area with a clean paper towel if necessary, but don’t rub or use anything abrasive on the piercing.

7. Avoid Removing the Jewelry During Healing

One of the worst mistakes you can make while cleaning a fresh piercing is removing the jewelry before the piercing has fully healed. The hole may close up quickly, trapping bacteria inside, leading to infection. Keep your jewelry in place during the healing process unless a professional piercer advises you to remove it.

8. Shower Instead of Soaking

When cleaning a piercing, you may want to avoid submerging it in water, especially during the initial healing phase. Swimming pools, hot tubs, and even bathtubs can harbor bacteria that can infect your piercing. It’s best to take showers instead of baths and clean the area under running water to avoid unnecessary risk.

9. Avoid Touching Your Piercing With Dirty Hands

Even if you just cleaned your piercing, touching it with dirty hands can introduce bacteria and cause an infection. Make sure that you only touch your piercing after washing your hands thoroughly. Also, avoid playing with the jewelry, as this can irritate the skin and prolong the healing time.

10. Watch for Signs of Infection and Seek Professional Help If Needed

While cleaning is crucial, it’s equally important to pay attention to any signs of infection. Redness, swelling, excessive pain, or unusual discharge (especially if it’s green or yellow) can indicate an infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a professional piercer or healthcare provider immediately for advice.

Conclusion: Patience Is Key

The best trick to ensure your piercing heals properly is patience. Piercings can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to fully heal, depending on the location and type of piercing. By cleaning your piercing properly, avoiding harsh chemicals, and taking the time to care for it, you can reduce the risk of complications and enjoy your new piercing for years to come!

Bonus Tip: Stay Consistent

Healing takes time, and consistency in care is essential. Set reminders to clean your piercing twice a day and follow all aftercare instructions provided by your piercer. With proper care and attention, you’ll be able to enjoy a healthy, beautifully healed piercing.

By following these 10 simple but essential tricks, you can ensure that your piercing heals safely, and avoid common mistakes that can cause infection or delays in the healing process. Good luck and enjoy your piercing!

It happens to all of us, but not everyone can remember that fateful day when you lost your innocence and saw the world from a different perspective. You finally understood that certain things could have two meanings, and once you are introduced to the opposite sex or someone that you’re attracted to, you’re a goner. The whole world becomes rude. Or at least that’s what you tell yourselves because you just happen to find the rude thing in something that is actually innocent. So let’s keep reading because we have prepared some images that prove you possess a dirty mind.

At first glance, a picture can seem scandalous, but just take a closer look, and then you will see it is perfectly innocent. So get your mind out of the gutter, scroll down, and check these pics out. We bet this post will put a big ol’ pervy grin on your face, so if it made you smile, share it with your friends and tell us how they react in the comments below.

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#1. A guaranteed best-seller among catholic priests.

#10. Such an unfortunate photo when your hair-obscured upper arm got on the photo:

Source: ThePoke

#11. This babu cute little feet.

Source: unknown

#12. Cheeky Minion.

Source: SMOSH

#13. That’s her knees.

Source: unknown

#14. He really, really likes this vase.

Source: Pinterest

#15. This freshly opened butter looks YUM!

Source: go_on_tell_me_more

#16. This too.

Source: Canongirl

#17. Tasting time.

Source: ebaumsworld

#18. Cute pics!

Source: thesun

#19. Come on! It’s a kid’s show, don’t be a pervert.

Source: bemethis

#20. This is why your bike seat shouldn’t be the color of your skin.

Source: cayetan

#21. What a coincidence!

Source: fbcloud

#22. Would you eat this pastry?

Source: unknown

#23. That one BIG sweet potato.

Source: Reddit

#24. Oink oink.

Source: imgur

#25. Hmm… starfish.

Without rеalising it an imagе can nееd a doublе takе to rеally takе in what it is about.

Thеsе imagеs providе thе bеst in this and thеy will provе that no mattеr how hard you try, you can’t dеny thе part of your brain that auto dirеcts you to what you want to sее!

I have never felt so enlightened.

by Hannah Marder

BuzzFeed Staff🔥View All 60 Comments

00:02

01:06

1. It genuinely did not occur to me that lizards shed, but this is not how I would have expected it to look if it had. It’s kind of…terrifying but cute at the same time?

A close-up image of a person's hand gently holding a small gecko with part of its old skin shedding off

2. I also didn’t know cats could deal with Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, so this picture of an absolutely BUILT cat kind of blew my mind.

A hairless cat, known as a Sphynx, lounges on a white cushion near a sunny window, basking in the sunlight

3. Did you know there are alarm clocks specifically for Deaf people? This one goes on your wrist and vibrates to wake you up.

Close-up of a wrist wearing a Shake-n-Wake alarm watch displaying the time 10:16:55

4. Ever wondered what a volcano eruption outside your door looks like? The answer is “extremely awesome.”

A black cat sits on a windowsill, looking out at a scenic view of a sunset with vibrant clouds and distant flames. Decorative items are placed on the sill

5. If you’re like me, you’ve never been inside a sperm collection room. I’m kind of creeped out by it, TBH.

A small, modern medical room with a black examination chair, a cabinet with medical supplies, a wall-mounted TV, and framed artworks on the walls

6. I…wish I had never seen what an owl without feathers looks like.

A small, dinosaur-like model with prominent eyes and clawed feet, standing on a green pedestal. The model is displayed against a plain backdrop

7. I also wish I had never seen what newborn horse hooves look like.

Close-up of the lower legs and hooves of a dark-furred animal standing on grass

8. I wish I had never seen this!!!!

Hairless cat's paw with extended toes. Tweet by Delaney King reads: "A reminder that your floofy cat's adorable toe beans look like this without fur. You are welcome."

9. I never considered that eye tests using letters would be useless for children who can’t yet read, so it’s super cool to see this test chart that uses shapes instead.

Kindergarten vision test chart featuring various symbols such as a sailboat, circle, star, heart, plus sign, moon, and flag

10. I had also never wondered what a pregnant guinea pig looks like, but now I am so, so glad I know. I want to roll it across soft grass.

A girl holds a fluffy guinea pig with her hands gently supporting it. The guinea pig has a rounded body and dark eyes

11. This person found a literal hippopotamus tooth, and I would not have expected it to look like that.

A hand holding a fossilized rock resembling animal paws encased in darker material

12. Bodies often have to be transported across states or even countries. And guess what? They basically just go in with the bags.

Airport ground crew loading luggage and a large box marked "HEAVY" onto a Southwest Airlines plane, viewed from a plane window

13. Speaking of airports — this is how bags are moved around.

u/HotTelevision911 / Via reddit.com

14. I’m willing to bet you’ve never gotten close enough to a reindeer to see their eye color, which means you probably don’t know that they turn bright blue in winter. This helps them see better in the dark by capturing more light.

Close-up of a deer’s eye (left) and the same eye with a purple hue (right) showing a different perspective or possible alteration

15. For some reason, this is NOT how I imagined power line towers being installed.

Five workers in safety gear observe a helicopter airlifting a power line structure

16. Great, I’m even more terrified of snakes after seeing what a cross-section of a rattlesnake’s tail looks like.

A person's hand touches a cross-section model of a rattlesnake rattle, demonstrating the interlocking segments that create the rattling sound. Text: "Please touch!"

17. I’m also newly terrified of eagles after seeing how big their talons are.

Close-up of a person's hands inspecting the curved black talons of a large reptilian or bird-like claw

18. For anyone wondering, this is what the inside of an air mattress looks like.

Close-up of an intricate weaving pattern with numerous threads running vertically and horizontally. The threads are part of a fabric or textile machine

19. And this is what microwave popcorn looks like inside the bag.

Partially popped microwave popcorn with many unpopped kernels, in a brown paper bag

20. I’ve never seen a shaved cat, and I find it kind of shocking that cats’ fur patterns occur on their skin, as well.

A cat with a shaved spot on its side reclines on someone's lap

21. Ever wondered how they keep corpses’ mouths and eyes closed at viewings? They use these babies!

A hand holding two silicone nipple shields and a brown plastic breastfeeding shield

22. Here’s how small lobsters are when they’re three weeks old.

Close-up shot of a hexagonal patterned structure with a circular opening in the center, illuminated by ultraviolet light

23. This is what 5-day-old hedgehogs look like, and I’m gonna need 20 immediately.

Hands holding a small group of newborn hedgehogs curled up together

24. This is what a lucky rabbit foot looks like without the fur…it doesn’t look so lucky anymore, tbh.

A purple skeletal hand keychain is attached to a beaded chain, lying on a textured surface with dark purple powder around it

25. For years, the mystery of what goes on behind the back wall of the bowling alley has haunted and plagued me. How are the pins replaced? What mechanism brings the balls back to you? Now, I no longer have to wonder.

Rows of pinsetter machines in a bowling alley mechanical room, showing the complex mechanisms for resetting pins. No people are visible

26. It never occurred to me to wonder how music was typed back in the day, and I actually think it’s so cool now that I know.

A vintage mechanical stenography machine mounted on a wooden board with a sheet of music behind it

27. Huh. So that’s what the inside of a credit card looks like.

A damaged RFID card with intricate patterns and a barcode is held by a person's hand. Background is dark wood

28. And this is what the chip looks like individually.

Close-up of a fingertip holding a small microchip

29. This cross-section of a sub looks wildly steampunk.

Close-up of the inner workings of a submarine's engine room, filled with complex machinery, pipes, and controls. An individual stands at the bottom for scale

30. This is how thick the cables are on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Model of the Golden Gate Bridge's main cable on display with a sign detailing its dimensions. Trees and a bridge are visible in the background

31. I bet you’ve never seen an airplane without seats! Here’s what one looks like.

The image shows the interior of a commercial airplane with empty seats, configured for cargo or other non-passenger uses. Markings on the floor illustrate different sections

32. No one was gonna tell me telephone cables have THIS MANY individual cables inside?

Close-up of a multi-colored, cross-sectioned fiber optic cable on a work surface

33. I am…kind of disturbed to see what a bear looks like without fur (don’t worry, this poor girl recovered).

A spectacled bear with patchy fur stands on a brick structure, looking to the side

34. Have you ever wondered how koalas are weighed? The answer is wildly cute.

A person holds a baby koala while looking at another koala sitting on a branch attached to a weighing scale

35. This is how big gasoline containers are underneath gas pumps.

A crane lifts a large, cylindrical object as construction workers guide it with ropes at a construction site. Several vehicles and equipment are nearby

36. And here’s what the inside of a gas pump looks like.

Conoco gas pump with exposed mechanics and displayed gas prices: $3.23 regular, $3.12 plus, $3.27 premium

37. Let’s pull back the curtain on a classic child’s toy — here’s what an etch-a-sketch looks like under the screen.

Close-up of a red Etch A Sketch toy with scribbles on the screen

38. This escalator with the belt removed is giving dystopian mall. (The Last of Us, anyone?)

An escalator under construction in a shopping mall with visible metal framework and no steps installed yet. Another operational escalator is on the right

39. Now ya know how park benches are anchored to the ground!

Several wooden benches overturned on a grassy field near a fenced area with trees in the background

40. Have you ever wondered how drinks are loaded into soda machines? Now, ya know!

An open Coca-Cola Freestyle machine being serviced, revealing the internal components, with a person's arm visible on the side

41. And here’s how Redbox DVDs are loaded!

A person is crouching and repairing a Redbox DVD rental machine outside. The interior mechanics of the machine are visible

42. This is how massive an IMAX screen looks when it’s delivered to a movie theater.

Large IMAX film reel on a patterned floor, labeled "FRAGILE" and "STRONG," with visible shipping details

43. This is not where I expected sesame seeds to come from.

Three small, green pods with seeds inside placed on the palm of a hand

44. As a spinach artichoke dip lover, I’m shocked I’ve never seen what a bloomed artichoke actually looks like.

A blue crate filled with artichokes with purple flowers displayed at a market, price signs visible but not fully legible in the background

45. This fossilized dinosaur skin looks pretty similar to how I would’ve imagined it, but it’s still cool to see.

A piece of fossilized beehive tissue with a honeycomb pattern on a denim-like fabric backdrop

46. I never wondered how bonsai roots grew, yet I’m still shocked by the answer.

Close-up of hands holding a plant with its roots exposed, showing a dense, tangled network of roots. The top part includes a small stem

47. A peeled lime just looks wrong to me, but I’m glad I now know what it looks like.

A peeled citrus fruit being held between a person's fingers

48. I never thought about the workers who paint lines on airport tarmacs, which makes it even more interesting to see the fake road on which they practice their painting.

Top 10 Tips for Cleaning an Ear Piercing

What to consider before your piercing

Tips for cleaning an ear piercing

Top 10 tips for cleaning an ear piercing

How long does it take an ear piercing to heal?

When can you change out your jewelry?

How can you tell if your piercing is infected?

1. Wash Your Hands Before Touching Your Piercing

2. Use Saline Solution for Cleaning

3. Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals or Alcohol

4. Clean Twice a Day, Not More

5. Use a Cotton Swab or Gauze, Not Cotton Balls

6. Let the Piercing Air Dry

7. Avoid Removing the Jewelry During Healing

8. Shower Instead of Soaking

9. Avoid Touching Your Piercing With Dirty Hands

10. Watch for Signs of Infection and Seek Professional Help If Needed

Conclusion: Patience Is Key

#1. A guaranteed best-seller among catholic priests.

#5. A Catholic priest on casual Friday:

#6. Spider-Man is up for anything.

#7. Women’s golf trophy.

#8. Nice palm tree.

#9. Cute doggo.

#10. Such an unfortunate photo when your hair-obscured upper arm got on the photo:

#11. This babu cute little feet.

#12. Cheeky Minion.

#13. That’s her knees.

#14. He really, really likes this vase.

#15. This freshly opened butter looks YUM!

#16. This too.

#17. Tasting time.

#18. Cute pics!

#19. Come on! It’s a kid’s show, don’t be a pervert.

#20. This is why your bike seat shouldn’t be the color of your skin.

#21. What a coincidence!

#22. Would you eat this pastry?

#23. That one BIG sweet potato.

#24. Oink oink.

#25. Hmm… starfish.

1. It genuinely did not occur to me that lizards shed, but this is not how I would have expected it to look if it had. It’s kind of…terrifying but cute at the same time?

Advertisement

2. I also didn’t know cats could deal with Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, so this picture of an absolutely BUILT cat kind of blew my mind.

3. Did you know there are alarm clocks specifically for Deaf people? This one goes on your wrist and vibrates to wake you up.

Advertisement

4. Ever wondered what a volcano eruption outside your door looks like? The answer is “extremely awesome.”

5. If you’re like me, you’ve never been inside a sperm collection room. I’m kind of creeped out by it, TBH.

Advertisement

6. I…wish I had never seen what an owl without feathers looks like.

7. I also wish I had never seen what newborn horse hooves look like.

Advertisement

8. I wish I had never seen this!!!!

9. I never considered that eye tests using letters would be useless for children who can’t yet read, so it’s super cool to see this test chart that uses shapes instead.

Advertisement

10. I had also never wondered what a pregnant guinea pig looks like, but now I am so, so glad I know. I want to roll it across soft grass.

11. This person found a literal hippopotamus tooth, and I would not have expected it to look like that.

Advertisement

12. Bodies often have to be transported across states or even countries. And guess what? They basically just go in with the bags.

13. Speaking of airports — this is how bags are moved around.

Advertisement

14. I’m willing to bet you’ve never gotten close enough to a reindeer to see their eye color, which means you probably don’t know that they turn bright blue in winter. This helps them see better in the dark by capturing more light.

15. For some reason, this is NOT how I imagined power line towers being installed.

Advertisement

16. Great, I’m even more terrified of snakes after seeing what a cross-section of a rattlesnake’s tail looks like.

17. I’m also newly terrified of eagles after seeing how big their talons are.

Advertisement

18. For anyone wondering, this is what the inside of an air mattress looks like.

19. And this is what microwave popcorn looks like inside the bag.

Advertisement

20. I’ve never seen a shaved cat, and I find it kind of shocking that cats’ fur patterns occur on their skin, as well.

21. Ever wondered how they keep corpses’ mouths and eyes closed at viewings? They use these babies!

Advertisement

22. Here’s how small lobsters are when they’re three weeks old.

23. This is what 5-day-old hedgehogs look like, and I’m gonna need 20 immediately.

Advertisement

24. This is what a lucky rabbit foot looks like without the fur…it doesn’t look so lucky anymore, tbh.

25. For years, the mystery of what goes on behind the back wall of the bowling alley has haunted and plagued me. How are the pins replaced? What mechanism brings the balls back to you? Now, I no longer have to wonder.

Advertisement

26. It never occurred to me to wonder how music was typed back in the day, and I actually think it’s so cool now that I know.

27. Huh. So that’s what the inside of a credit card looks like.