Houma, LA
A 18-year-old male asked:
How to tell if ear piercing is infected?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Milleranswered
Wound care 38 years experience
Infected/inflammed: Red, hot, swollen and drainage (inflammation) are normal signs of healing and in fact, not bad but are integral to healing. If infected, the wound should not improve, the patient have fevers, chills, and other systemic signs of infection. Culture of the wound should never be with a swab on the surface but a simple tissue biopsy. Routine use of antibiotics is to be condemned due to the risks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 48-year-old member asked:
What can you do to tell if your ears is infected after ear piercing?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Harold Kimanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 30 years experience
Tenderness, pain: Signs of infection include peristent redness and swelling at the area as well as pain and tenderness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
How could i cure my infected ear piercing?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Harold Kimanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 30 years experience
Take out earring: You also probably need a course of antibiotics.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
What to do about infected ear piercing! advice?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Seek medical care.: Signs of infection can include: increased swelling, redness, tenderness, ^ pain, warmth, red streaks, purulent drainage, swollen lymph nodes or fever.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
What's the best way to know if my ear piercing is infected?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Peppercornanswered
Dermatology 45 years experience
Piercing: Increasing redness, pain, pus, and open sores.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to treat an infected ear piercing with neosporin?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marya Cassandraanswered
Dermatology 22 years experience
May want evaluation.: You may want to have your ear evaluated by a doctor. If it is not responding to over the counter topical antibiotics like neosporin you may have a complicated infection that may require oral antibiotics. It is also very common to have a allergy to a metal in your earring that may seem like an infection but isn't. This may require something other than an antibiotic like a topical cortisone cream.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 20, 2017
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