I just got an industrial piercing 2 days ago. I sometimes don't do well with ear piercings.. I already have others in and I have diabetes.
I know it could get infected easier, but I bought medicated q-tips from the piercing place and I've been using that to clean. It is a barbell. I don't have much swelling but on the bottom.
Is there anything I really (emphasized) need to do to keep it healthy and infection free?
Any tips would help.
Depending on what medication is in the Q-tips, they are probably doing more harm than good. I would stop using them. Otherwise, just keep it clean, but don't overclean it. Make sure you rinse well in the shower to make sure there is no soap residue left. Clean off any crusties with a wet Q-tip (plain warm water). You can also do warm water soaks and compresses.
And make sure you don't touch it with dirty hands and avoid bumping it or sleeping on it.
Good luck with your healing!
~Laurel~
Well, the Q-tips have the following:
Chloroxylenol – antimicrobial cleanser
• Benzalkonium Chloride – protective antiseptic
• Saline solution – promotes healing
• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) – anti-inflammatory; relieves pain and increases blood flow, promoting healing
• Panthenol – Pro-Vitamin B5
• Allantoin – skin protectant
Chloroxylenol and Benzalkonium Chloride are both antiseptics. Antiseptics are harmful to piercings as they damage and kill the healing tissues. Benzalkonium Chloride is also used as a spermacide contraceptive. At least your ear wouldn't get pregnant.
Seriously, though, those ingredients are too harsh for piercings. You should stop using them, in my opinion.
~Laurel~
Diabetes makes healing anything difficult, so its important to keep up with your medication.
Otherwise, using the Q-tip product is just too harsh. By now, you should not be cleaning or moving the barbell. If it is longer than the piercing, you should consider getting a more fitted one so that it will reduce any movement, this should happen after 6-8 weeks.
Good luck
