What is an infected ear piercing?
An ear piercing is a hole through your earlobe or the cartilage in your middle or upper ear. Ear piercing infections may be red, swollen, sore, warm, itchy or tender. Sometimes, piercings ooze blood or white, yellow or green pus.
A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to fully heal. During that time, any bacteria that enter the wound can lead to infection.
Types of ear piercing infections
The two main types of ear piercings are through your earlobes and through the cartilage of your ear.
Your earlobes are fleshy and fatty, with strong blood flow. They heal quickly, reducing the risk of an infected earlobe piercing.
Your upper ear is cartilage, a thick, stiff tissue with less blood flow. Piercings in your upper ear are more likely to become infected, and infections in your upper ear are sometimes serious.
How common are ear infections from piercings?
Millions of people get their ears pierced every year, and most of them have no serious complications. Mild irritation and infections are common, however, for new piercings. In most cases, infections aren’t serious and clear up quickly.
In one study, as many as 35% of people with pierced ears had one or more of the following complications:
- Minor infection: 77%.
- Allergic reaction: 43%.
- Scar tissue (keloid) formation: 2.5%.
- Traumatic tearing: 2.5%.
