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About Brian 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. *Also available for live online video consultation.

Experience
Body artist and founder of Piercing Experience, http://piercing.org/ and SciCan Authorized Dealer of STATIM Sterilizers and related infection control products

Organizations
ASTM, AAMI, APP

Publications
The Point Journal of the Association of Professional Piercers, USA Today, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, Creative Loafing

Education/Credentials
I regularly participate and teach in many APP educational programs. I keep current certifications for OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, First Aid, and CPR.

Awards and Honors
Best Freehand Piercer, Best of Atlanta

Past/Present Clients
Tens of thousands of one on one client experiences as the founder of Piercing Experience in Atlanta, GA, USA http://www.piercing.org/ *Body jewelry design and safety expert: former Member ASTM committee F04(www.astm.org)and former 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/

You are here: Experts > Style > Tattoo/Body Piercing > Ear & Body Piercing > Tragus piercing

Ear & Body Piercing - Tragus piercing

Expert: Brian Skellie - 10/31/2009

Question
About a month ago I had my tragus pierced. THe piercer told me to wash it 5 times a day with soap and then bactine. I did that at first until i found out that it would be to harsh. I also ended up playing with it a good bit. Right now I have a bump on both sides of my tragus and sometimes when I clean it there is some yellow crust or fluid. I am not really sure if it is infected and if the bump is a keloid or something else. It was pierced with a cbr. I don't know wht gauge it is or what kind of metal it is (the piercer didn't tell me or let me pick out jewelry). THis is my first piercing other than my ear lobes so I didn't really know how to take care of it and it seems like the piercer I went to wasn't very good. How should I keep cleaning it and should I find another piercer to check on it?

Answer
Bumps like this could be pyogenic bacterial infection, especially with the yellow color to the discharge.

Often a piercing done with slightly irritating shape or material like steel or an alloy of gold (usually including copper, silver and trace metals) can cause irritation and prevent complete healing. You can switch to an implant certified piece of anodized titanium jewelry for better success. http://jewelry.piercing.org/ can explain more about selecting a safe piece.

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

>> The shape, friction and your sleeping habits could be the big issues, and for this reason I avoid overly loose fitted or ring shaped jewelry for healing most piercings.

Stop by for a free consultation if you are in the area.
I can refer you to colleagues at http://piercing.org/pe/ who can provide you an appropriate, attractive piece of jewelry if you can not make it in.

In the meantime, try to follow simple sensible care described at http://care.piercing.org/
See your physician or dermatologist if symptoms get worse or do not clear up in the next few days. This could be an infection from streptococcus pyogenes or other germs.

I do not suggest any of the common home remedies [tea tree oil, vitamin E or aspirin paste] because they are either useless or can make it worse. 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]

What seems to help the most and harm the least is gentle care as mentioned above and to apply a dry hot compress such as a heat pad set to medium or a hot washcloth in a Ziploc bag for a period of ten to fifteen minutes as frequently as once an hour up to bedtime, to increase circulation and build immune response. Make sure to put something absorbent such as sterile gauze in between you and the compress for a clean barrier.

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