Pretty Nasty Tragus infection- No bump yet.

[Ruby Soho]

I've searched for other threads but I haven't seen any with the same problem as mine.

I had my tragus (right) pierced a month ago and it was fine until a few days ago. I admit it's had alot of knocks when going to gigs and even sleeping on it, as I was used to sleeping on my right side anyway when I had the left tragus done 7 months ago.

I woke up this morning and it was swollen to the point where the barbell has very little room to breathe. It felt painful and when I looked at it this morning it was leaking yellow/ white fluuid from both the back and front holes. I moved the bar forward slightly as I knew there was loads more to come out and I was right. It practically leaked down my tragus and just when I clear it off with a q tip and hot water, more comes out. I've soaked it only once today but I think the salt's aggrivating it more. My Ibuprofen tablets will be will me in an hour or so I'm hoping it will reduce the swelling as it's that I'm most worried about as it seems to be getting worse.

I know I will probably be advised to go to the doctors to get antibiotics and also return to the piercers, but until I get my car back in a few days I can't make it there. Anyone got any temporary solutions? How about ice for the swelling instead?

Before all this I gave the piercing the LITHA method, only cleaning it every so often and it seemed to like it much more than doing the salt soaks on my left tragus (now healed.)

I don't wanna give up on this dispite the fact it hurts!

[Isis]

how much salt are you using? you could be using too much if its irritating it. carry on as you are then go to your piercer and doc as soon as you can.

[Jade]

The salt soaks are probably drawing any infection and pus out which is why it may feel as though the soaks are aggrivating it more.
It will get worse before it gets better.

Personally, I see no reason as to why you would need antibiotics unless it's severely infected.

Ice might help as long as you are using ice in a clean towel or something and the ibuprofen will help.

Keep with the salt water soaks (but do not use too much salt and be gentle!)

In a few days if it is still bad go to your piercer. I don't advise going to your doctor unless you absolutely have to, but it's up to you.

[nik84]

My tragus swelled up like yours sounds to have. It was bleeding and pussing. Salt soaks got rid of it for me, so maybe you are using too much salt? Remember to only use a 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a hot cup of water.

[Ruby Soho]

Thanks for the quick replys guys. I was using 1/4 of a teaspoon of salt to a cup of water, but it just itched really bad. I'm worried that everytime I wake up it's just going to keep swelling like it has, but I'll follow your advice and carry on with the salt soaks. I got the bump with my last tragus and learnt to be patient with it and that paid off. I just panicked abit that's all as I couldn't believe how much nasty stuff was coming out of this.

Thanks guys!

[RX_Queen]

Are you using sea salt or just ordinary table salt?

Also, did the stuff smell?

[Ruby Soho]

Sea salt from Holland and Barrett. I used it for my other tragus piercing and it was fine.

Yeah there's a slight smell to it, there's no doubt it's infected as it constantly seems to be oozing puss. It's not lymph I don't think as it's definitely not a white fluid.

I'll have to see how it is when I wake up in the morning.

[RX_Queen]

Ah okay.

Well just to be sure, I would go see your doctor as soon as you can and if they say it's an infection, then get some broad spectrum antibiotics :]

[Ruby Soho]

Thanks. :)

Earliest I can go is Wednesday so we'll see how it goes tomorrow with the usual routine. I'm just giving it a salt soak now and it feels a little less sore especially after having the Ibuprofen earlier. I just can't wait for it to clear up.

[Foostar]

I've just had the same... I got antibiotics, and that cleared it very quickly. For the swelling, I found an ice pack held on it for a while (give it a good half an hour) took the swelling right down and gave it some breathing room.

[Ruby Soho]

So this morning....

I woke up and it didn't feel as uncomfortable as yesterday. It's still swollen but there's nowhere near as much puss coming out of the front or back holes. I spoke to soon about the bump though as there is what looks like one developing above the piercing and its still pretty red this morning. I'm going to try the ice pack as suggested to get the swelling down and see what happnes from there. I have my tea tree at the ready if the bump flares up!