
Dry the piercing on both sides with a paper towel. “Avoid alcohol and hydrogen peroxide as these can potentially irritate the areas. With blatant infections, cleaning the infected area with a saltwater rinse (after washing your hands, of course!) and steering clear of certain irritants can also help cure it. You can also try applying an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and a healing ointment such as Aquaphor or Cicalfate. If your ear irritation seems more like an allergic reaction than a full-blown infection, Shah suggests removing the earring, then using a gentle cleanser to cleanse the ear twice a day. “The zinc pyrithione in dandruff shampoo is known to treat dandruff but also has antibacterial properties that can aid in the healing process of infected ears or work to prevent infection,” Fusco said. “An earlobe piercing is essentially an open wound until it fully heals, so during this time, like any other wound, it is susceptible to infection,” Shah said. Fresh piercings, especially, are pretty vulnerable, and can actually take up to six weeks to heal. Whether you just got your ears pierced or are a piercing veteran, there are a number of reasons you might end up with an earring hole infection. How do earring hole infections start? Shutterstock What causes a pierced ear infection? “Untreated infection could lead to more complicated infections that require drainage and oral antibiotics,” Fusco said. If your situation doesn’t improve in a few days, though, you may need to call in backup. The good news? Minor earring hole infections will typically only last a few days, and you can usually nip them in the bud with a few home remedies. “All indicate possible infection,” she said. “If your discharge is light in color and not accompanied by pain, redness, warmth or swelling, it is probably not infected,” Shah said.Īn easy way to self-diagnose your infection? Fusco encourages patients to think of "the four Ps": pain, pus, plumpness and (deep) pinkness. In fact, ears sometimes secrete a white to yellow thin liquid while healing from a piercing, and sebum from your oil glands can also collect on your piercings. 5.Some earring hole infections may also be accompanied by an oozy discharge, but not all ear discharge is cause for alarm. The vacuum should suck up the earring, which will get caught in the tights. Turn your vacuum on and sweep where you think the earring might be. If you have a vacuum with a hose attachment, take a pair of nylon socks or stockings and stretch it over the nozzle. Still can’t find your missing earring? There’s one last trick to try if you’re able! This is particularly useful if the earring could’ve potentially bounced under a piece of furniture. Be willing to expand your search beyond where you think it might’ve landed! 4. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.

If you felt or heard the earring drop and think you have an idea where it might have landed, it’s reasonable to assume it’ll be easy to find.

The irregular shape of an earring means they usually don’t bounce where we expect them too. Don’t apply too much pressure with your feet! You don’t want to hurt yourself or potentially break the lost earring the process.

If struggling to find an earring buried in the fibers of a carpet, try (carefully) dragging your bare feet where you think the earring might be and feel around for anything hard or sharp. Feel with your feetĮarrings might be tiny, but they’re sharp in comparison to a plush carpet. This is particularly useful if you’ve lost your earring somewhere with hardwood floors! 2. Hold it low to the ground and slowly sweep it back and forth, keeping an eye out for a sparkle. Shut off the lights (or wait until night if you’re searching outside) and whip out your brightest flashlight.

Flashlights are your friendĭid you lose a diamond earring or something else with sparkle? That can work to your advantage. Stay calm, retrace your steps, and start the search with our five steps to take after you’ve lost an earring: 1. Oh no! You’re going about your day when all of a sudden, you notice you’ve lost an earring (one of your favorites!), and that sinking feeling hits.įortunately, all hope is not lost.
