How do you care for a tragus piercing?

You've done it! You've finally taken the plunge and have a new tragus piercing.

But in all the excitement, you barely took in your piercer's aftercare advice…

You've come to the right place! 😁

Today, the Solstice team is talking about aftercare for a tragus piercing.

We'll also discuss infection and slow healing, including when to seek medical advice 🙂

Let's explore it together!

 

6 aftercare tips for your tragus piercing

A tragus piercing can take time to heal, and healing varies from person to person.

Yes… you'll need to be patient! But the result can be worth the wait 😉

Let's look at 6 tips to care for your tragus piercing and support healing. Our catalogue jewellery is for healed piercings, not initial piercing or healing.

 

1. Clean it daily

The main aim of piercing aftercare is to keep the wound clean so your body can heal it.

Daily cleaning helps remove dirt and residue.

How do you do it? Follow these steps 😉

• Start by washing your hands thoroughly
• Clean your piercing with a gauze pad soaked in saline solution
• Gently clean around the wound to remove loosened residue, such as crusts and lymph fluid, without picking at it
• Rinse with lukewarm water

Do not remove or move your jewellery during aftercare.

Keep the routine gentle and consistent while it heals. A normal appearance alone does not confirm healing; ask your piercer to check.

2. Avoid contact with your piercing

Whether in the shower or while tying up your hair, it's easy to catch your piercing on something!

Unfortunately, a knock or repeated snagging can disrupt your tragus piercing's healing.

Here are a few tips to avoid accidents:

• Tie your hair back if it is long
• Avoid earphones while your tragus piercing is healing
• Avoid contact sports until your piercing has healed
• If wearing a headband to sleep, make sure it does not press on or catch your piercing
• Avoid touching or playing with your ear piercing outside your aftercare routine

Adjusting your everyday routine around a piercing isn't always easy, is it? 😔

3. Avoid harsh products

To support healing, keep potentially irritating products away from your tragus piercing.

Avoid make-up, creams, Betadine and Biseptine on the piercing unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise, and protect your ears from shampoo when washing your hair!

If you have questions about medication and piercing aftercare, seek medical advice; do not stop prescribed medication on your own 💊

4. Follow a healthy lifestyle

Often overlooked, our lifestyle can affect healing.

To support your tragus piercing aftercare, we recommend:

• Eating a balanced diet and limiting junk food
• Drinking enough water for your needs
• Getting enough sleep
• Avoiding alcohol, recreational drugs and smoking

These small everyday habits can make a difference 🙂

5. Avoid swimming and soaking

Love a dip in summer or a spot of kitesurfing? 🏄

Ouch… your swimsuit may have to wait!

Swimming is generally discouraged when your piercing is new. This is particularly true of lakes and rivers, which can contain bacteria and dirt. Swimming pools can also pose problems, as chlorine and related chemicals can dry out the skin and interfere with healing.

Seawater is not a sterile aftercare treatment: avoid submerging a piercing that is still healing (see the APP's aftercare recommendations).

Avoid swimming and other submersion while it is healing.

You can wear a shower cap in the shower. Remember to dry your ears carefully afterwards 😉

6. Keep aftercare simple

A simple, regular aftercare routine is better than layering on lots of products.

If your tragus piercing is struggling to heal, have your aftercare routine and jewellery checked. Avoid essential oils on the wound:

• No rockrose oil;
• No Italian helichrysum oil;
• No lavender oil;
• No tea tree oil.

Do not use these oils on the healing piercing in a steam bath or diluted in vegetable oil either.

How can you lower the risk of infection and when should you seek help?

Ouch… do you think your piercing might be infected and want to know what to do?

Have you noticed a small bump around your tragus and wondered what it is?

Let's look at the signs and when to seek help 🙂

 

Is my piercing infected or just irritated?

Recognising an infected piercing is not always straightforward. Infection is often confused with irritation and inflammation.

An infection involves harmful microorganisms; the body's response can include inflammation.

Some inflammation is normal shortly after piercing.

Irritation is common and can occur if you accidentally catch your jewellery.

So how can I tell whether my cartilage piercing is infected? 🤔

If your tragus becomes increasingly red, painful or swollen, or if you notice pus, seek medical attention promptly 🚒

Possible contributing factors include unsuitable aftercare, touching and swimming.

 

I think my tragus piercing is infected. What should I do?

If you think your tragus piercing is infected, seek prompt medical advice. Gentle aftercare is not a substitute for assessment or treatment.

Do not rely on home treatments to manage a suspected infection.

A cartilage infection needs prompt attention. Consult a doctor promptly, and return to your piercer to have the jewellery checked if needed 🚒

Keloids and granulomas

A keloid is a type of raised scar that can develop after piercing. It should not automatically be attributed to neglected aftercare.

A bump near a piercing is not necessarily a keloid. If it persists or grows, have it examined: the AAD's dermatologists' advice explains why diagnosis comes before choosing a treatment.

A granuloma can appear as a small growth of tissue, sometimes red or white and resembling a spot. An unsuitable size of initial piercing jewellery may contribute to irritation, but a bump needs assessment to establish what it is.

In any case, ask your piercer for advice. They can check the jewellery and change it if necessary; seek medical assessment for a persistent or growing bump.

Try not to worry, but do have any concerning changes checked 🙂

Article recap + a surprise

Caring for your tragus piercing can be straightforward!

You'll need patience and perseverance, but the result can be worth the wait 😉

If you'd like to learn more and keep these tips to hand, download our piercing aftercare guide by clicking below:

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