Are You Sick?

Causes of Infections in Newly Pierced Ear

• Piercing the ears with tools or earring posts that aren't clean (sterile)
• Not cleaning the earlobes daily
• Taking the earring out before the channel is healed (6 weeks)
• Touching earrings with dirty hands
• Earring backs that are too tight against the earlobe.
• Posts that have nickel in them can also cause an itchy, allergic reaction

Causes of Infections Later After the Pierced Ear has Healed

• Not cleaning the earrings and posts daily
• Touching earrings with dirty hands
• Earring backs that are too tight against the earlobe. 
• Not taking the earrings out at night
• Anything that causes a scratch or tear in the ear channel. Examples are a heavy earring or a rough area on the post. Reason: any break in the skin can become infected.
• Putting the post in at the wrong angle also can scratch the channel. Use a mirror until putting the earring in becomes routine.
• Posts that have nickel in them can also cause an itchy, allergic reaction