How to Deal With Upper Ear Piercing Infections

Upper ear piercing is not recommended by most physicians. Because you are piercing cartilage healing will be slow and prone to infection.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider if you are willing to accept the risk of a helix piercing. There are many men and women with upper ear piercings that have healed properly, however that being said the procedure is discouraged by most physicians because of the risk of infection. Keep in mind that risk and if you have had an upper ear piercing you need to monitor for infection.

• 2

  Choose a salon that uses an autoclave to disinfect piercing tools if you choose to have any piercing done. Upper ear piercing infections are much harder to treat according to doctors. The most common cause, a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa has even been found in disinfectant solution used in some piercing salons. Always inquire about the salon's disinfectant procedures if your are considering having an upper ear piercing done. Monitor your pierced ear closely. You will naturally have some redness around the piercing for a few days after the procedure but if you suddenly see the upper part of the ear begin to swell and turn red go to a doctor immediately.

• 3

  Get prompt medical attention if you have an infected upper ear piercing. Do not hesitate in getting to a doctor. An ENT, or Ear, Nose and Throat doctor is a good choice. A good ENT will be able to diagnose the problem and give the correct antibiotics or combination of antibiotics. Some general practice physicians may not be familiar with pseudomonas aeruginosa and may prescribe the wrong antibiotics. For example, pseudomonas aeruginosa is an anerobic gram negative bacteria that can even survive in diesel fuel. If the wrong antibiotic is given, for example one that only kills gram positive bacteria, the infection will only worsen. Another less likely cause of infection, and far more serious one, is MRSA or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and this is another reason you want to get to a doctor as soon as possible. MRSA is hard to treat and early detection of both it and pseudomonas aeruginosa can help speed recovery.