How to Stop Pierced Ears From Seeping

How to Stop Pierced Ears From Seeping
Written By
Maude Coffey
Maude Coffey
Published: Jul 8, 2010
Updated: Jul 18, 2019
2 minute read
Woman wearing jewelry
Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Your pierced ears might ooze or seep light-colored fluids during the healing process. Fluids draining from your ear piercings is normal during the healing period, but if the seeping and oozing are constant or continue after the healing period of six to eight weeks, your pierced ears might need additional care. Changing your pillowcases more frequently and sanitizing your phone after each use can help to reduce the amount of irritation that you are experiencing from ear piercings.

Clean your hands, then wash your pierced ears daily with mild soap and water or saline. Remove any crusts on the earrings with the soap and water. Refrain from moving the jewelry back and forth in your earlobe piercing and do not turn or twist it.

Ask your piercer for non-iodized sea salt. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water in a clean, disposable cup. Dip four cotton balls into the solution. Apply and press a cotton ball onto the front and back of both of your ear piercings. Remove the cotton balls after 10 minutes. The sea salt can draw fluid out of your ear piercings and might leave a yellow or brown residue on the cotton balls.

Visit a professional piercer. The piercer will examine your ear piercings for a possible infection. If your earrings are too tight during the healing process, fluids can build up inside your piercings. The piercer might change your earrings if the posts or rings are too small or short for your anatomy. Alert your piercer if you have placed inappropriate jewelry, not purchased from a professional piercing parlor, into your ear piercings. Your ear piercings might be irritated or seeping due to an allergic reaction to the metal.

Photo Credits

Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Maude Coffey

Maude Coffey retired after 10 years working as a professional body modification artist in the tattoo industry. She is certified in principles of infection control and blood-borne pathogens. Coffey received additional training and classes,…

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