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: 7/19/2008 Subject: Tragus piercing.
Question I got my tragus pierced just over a week ago, the piercer told me to clean it once a day, (in the morning after a shower) with half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water. I have been doing this every day and sometimes have given it another little clean at night. The other morning I noticed some greeny stuff coming out and some dirt around the ball on the inside of my ear and am worried that I'm not cleaning it right. Is this normal? and how can I tell that I am cleaning the inside right because when I move it even a little it hurts really bad..I'm only fifteen and a keen internet reader so I have been getting somewhat paranoid from reading things on the internet so I hope someone can help me. :)
Answer Your piercing would be better off with gentler care and a titanium barbell instead of a ring.
Often a piercing done with slightly irritating material like silver, steel or an alloy of gold (usually including copper, silver and trace metals) can cause irritation and prevent complete healing. Switch to an implant certified piece of titanium jewelry for better success. http://piercing.org/pexy/jewelry/jewelry.html can explain more about selecting a safe piece. http://piercing.org/shop has excellent examples of threadless titanium jewelry and more.
Other notable cofactors the irritation could be related to:
*cleaning products you use; chemical or particulate irritation
*the shape and size of the jewelry; a piece out of proportion to your body
*mechanical friction/motion of the jewelry; moving it around too much
*sleeping on the piercing; putting pressure on the jewelry
*tap water/moisture not dried off completely; fluid causing ulceration of the wound bed
Stop by for a free consultation if you are in the area.
I can send you an appropriate, attractive piece of jewelry if you can not make it in.
Some people in your situation have success with a judicious application of antiseptic or antibiotic products at this point. Others try to focus on great nutrition [like a balanced diet with additional garlic, vitamin C and minerals like zinc] and apply a dry hot compress [such as a cup of your favorite hot liquid, a heat pad set to medium or a hot washcloth in a Ziploc bag for ten-fifteen minutes once an hour up to bedtime] to increase circulation and build immune response. Make sure to put something absorbent such as a gauze pad or tissue in between you and the compress to keep it from getting sweaty. See your physician if symptoms get worse or do not clear up in the next few days.
