Having more than one earring in your ear has become fashionable, which is why it is very important to take certain precautions with your recently pierced ear.
For a long time, having your ears pierced was something exclusive to women. However, over time men also started wearing earrings and this trend became even more popular. In the case of women, from a very young age they undergo the procedure to pierce their ears. Therefore, it is very difficult to find a woman today who does not have at least one piercing in her ear.
In the past, fashion was for a single puncture, nowadays the more the merrier, whether in the lobe or in the ear cartilage. Earrings and piercings adorn the ears of men and women everywhere, as a symbol of style and personality. Despite being considered something quite common, having your ears pierced is still a body modification, but it is much more accepted than a tattoo, for example.
Ear piercing is not that painful or complicated, but it is still an intervention on the body, and therefore requires some basic care. After all, no one wants to suffer twice, first with the piercing and then having to remove the earring because it became inflamed due to lack of care.
Therefore, today we will learn basic tips for taking care of pierced ears and avoiding problems with healing and even removing the accessory. Furthermore, we will also talk about ear piercings in babies.
Pierced ear care
So, you decided to go in and get your ears pierced again, but you still have a certain fear? We already said that you don’t need to have it, it’s a simple procedure and compared to other body modifications, it’s not painful at all.
However, even though it is a small intervention, it is necessary to take precautions before and after piercing your ears to avoid having a painful problem later. Therefore, let’s check out the tips on how to care for recently pierced ears below:
Choose good quality jewelry
This tip is basic and makes all the difference in the final result. Choosing quality jewelry is the first step, whether it’s an earring or a piercing, choose one that is made of noble metal, such as gold or silver. If you are looking for a cheaper option, look for pieces made from surgical steel that are hypoallergenic, and never wear jewelry made from nickel. This is because although metal is often used in this type of accessory, it can cause allergies. Therefore, look for jewelry with “nickel free” certification.
Carry out the procedure with a professional
Although it seems very simple to pierce your ear, the procedure is not without risks. Therefore, the procedure must be carried out by a professional, to guarantee the best result, safety, and asepsis to avoid infections.
Wait for the ear hole to heal
After piercing your ear, the fundamental tip is to be patient. No matter how eager you are to change the jewelry, you need to give the hole time to consolidate. So, during the healing process you cannot change or take off the jewelry, because this could cause the hole to close. Not to mention that this can injure the skin again. Therefore, it is recommended to wait at least six weeks before thinking about changing the jewelry.
Avoid touching the hole unnecessarily
This error is very common and can hinder the healing process. This is because by poking the holes, you increase the chances of the area becoming infected. Unless you are crazy about hand hygiene, the habit of touching newly opened holes can contaminate them with various bacteria present on your fingers and hands. So, it’s best to avoid touching your ear unnecessarily.
Ear hole cleaning
Cleaning the hole is an essential part of the healing process. Therefore, carry out delicate hygiene using antibacterial soap, preferably liquid. Remembering that cleaning must be done daily, at least twice a day and with clean hands.
To clean the hole, put a little soap on your fingers and make a foam and then carefully apply it to the edge of the hole. Then rinse and use a clean cloth to remove excess soap. Additionally, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, saline solution or a specific product for cleaning pierced ears to clean around the hole.
It is also very important to gently rotate the earring to prevent it from sticking to the wound while it is still healing.
Be careful when combing your hair and dressing
When combing your hair, it can happen by accident that a comb or brush gets caught in an earring or piercing, which is not a good idea, especially in the first few days after a piercing. Therefore, it is very important to take special care at this time to avoid minor accidents. The same goes for putting on clothes. Anyone who has never attached a piece to their earring doesn’t know what pain it is, with a recently pierced ear it’s even worse. So, be more careful when getting dressed to avoid the risk of getting your clothes stuck to your earring.
Sleep face up
Among all the care options for pierced ears, this is certainly the most difficult or unpleasant, especially for those who have the habit of sleeping with their face turned away. But in the first few days of the puncture, it is very important to avoid rubbing the puncture with the pillow to avoid irritation.
Food
Taking care of your diet is a standard recommendation for anyone who wears an earring or piercing or gets a tattoo. Avoiding the consumption of fatty foods is very important, as fat levels can hinder the healing process. Therefore, at least in the first few days after piercing, avoid foods such as chocolate, pork and fried foods.
In case of infection, see a doctor
However, if even taking all the precautions listed above, you still contract an infection resulting from your ear piercing, see a doctor or pharmacist. It’s not that uncommon to get an infection or inflammation in this area, but it can be a big problem. So, if there is a lot of pain, redness, swelling or discharge, remove the jewelry and see a doctor. Depending on the case, the problem can be easily solved, with an antibiotic or something similar.
Baby ear hole
This can be a controversial topic for some people, as it is a body modification, and many parents pierce their baby’s ears. For many, this can be considered a violation, since the baby is not yet conscious and has not chosen to have their ears pierced. But despite this, it is very common for baby girls to have their ears pierced in the first few months of their lives.
In this sense, several doubts arise, what is the recommended age for piercing a baby’s ears, what is the best procedure and care, of course.
Baby ear piercing care
As for the right age, there is no consensus on this. However, some pediatricians advise that before piercing the baby’s ear, the baby must have all his vaccinations up to date, others suggest that the baby must be at least three months old.
Regarding the drilling method, there are two most popular ones, the gun and the catheter. In the case of the pistol, the hole is made with the earring itself, normally made of stainless steel. With the catheter, the earring does not participate in the piercing, and another earring can be chosen. In any case, the ideal is to take the baby to have the hole drilled in a reliable and clean place, certified by Anvisa.
The earring model must also be taken into consideration, not only for the hole but also for the baby’s adaptation to the accessory. Most doctors recommend solid gold earrings to avoid allergies, and simple models without rings or pendants for the child’s greatest comfort.
And finally, care after the puncture, which is basically as listed above. Clean the area daily, rotate the earrings to help with healing, keep the area dry and in case of inflammation, seek a doctor.
Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out Ear Piercing – Types, styles, tips and care.
Fonts: Linda Bela Waufen Waufen S.Stein
Images: Women’s Lifestyle Tips by the Minute Linda Bela Waufen Universa GreenMe
