Ear Cartilage Care

Summary

Healing Time 3 - 12 months, depending on the amount of cartilage pierced

Do not touch your piercing with unwashed hands

Do not let others touch it while it is healing

Clean your healing piercing once a day only, using antibacterial soap

Wash and dry your hair before piercing, and frequently thereafter

Never use alcohol swabs, Betadine, hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil to clean your piercing

Pain, redness and unusual discharge may be due to infection. Consult your piercer or a physician if you develop any of these symptoms

Take vitamin C and zinc to maximise your healing

Wait till your piercing is healed before changing jewelry yourself

Bacterial Infection Prevention

Disninfect, wash or avoid the things in your daily life that can carry bacteria

Telephone handsets

Mobile phones

Stethoscopes

Pens and pencils

Fingers

Scarves, hats, etc

Pillowcases

Sheets

Symptoms

Include increased pain, increased redness and an increase in the amount and thickness of the discharge. The infected discharge is usually thick and yellow, green or grey and may have an unusual odour. Consult with your physician or piercer and do not remove the jewelry until you seek advice. Removing the jewelry may prevent pus draining and cause an abscess to form.

Chondritis

Infection of cartilage. This is very difficult to treat and sometimes requires plastic surgery for cure. Consult a physician