AboutBrian Skellie Expertise I can answer questions in regards to and not limited to: jewelry safety, specifically material, shape, proportion, and related issues; aseptic technique and sterilization as it applies to piercing safety; ethical issues of technique and bedside manner; the aftercare and recovery process for piercings.
Experience
Past/Present clients
Tens of thousands of one on one client experiences. http://www.piercing.org/ Body jewelry design and safety expert: Member ASTM committee F04(www.astm.org)
Member AAMI (www.aami.org)
Research advisor and educator for the APP for over a decade(www.safepiercing.org) teaching advanced studio setup, sterilization and equipment management, freehand piercing, aseptic/sterile technique and much more.
Distributor for SciCan StatIM sterilization and cleaning products. http://www.piercing.org/statim/
Expert: Brian Skellie Date: 7/10/2008 Subject: Tragus piercing
Question Hi,
I had my tragus pierced about 3 days ago. I had it done at a very reputable
place, and am not concerned about anything done on the piercer's end. I have
been having pretty bad pain. It isn't just my tragus that hurts, but the bottom
half of my entire ear. It is my first "real" piercing, so I may just be acting
paranoid, but I can't help but worry a little bit. The piercing site is still
swollen, but doesn't look red or anything. Is it normal for the rest of my ear
to hurt? The pain is in the cartilage along the lower half of my ear.
Answer The piercing may be in an uncomfortable position, but it may just be irritated. Some piercer's choice of procedures can be rough on the tissue, causing pain after the fact from the damage done. The area may be soothed with gentle care and hot compresses as described at http://piercing.org/pexy/recovery/recovery.html
The pain radiating out from the area could signify jewelry that is pinching a nerve. Consider a threadless titanium barbell as an alternative for healing http://piercing.org/shop has excellent examples.
