I got my tragus pierced on July 4th with a needle. The man that pierced my tragus told me to clean it two times a day with Anti-bacterial soap, I used Dial.
I had no problems with it, no swelling, besides the normal soreness. I cleaned it religiously for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I have slept on my pierced ear many times, but I have tried to stop myself.
Anyways, a few weeks ago, I developed a bump. Two bumps, actually. One on the back of my tragus and one in the front. The one in the back was bigger and slightly swollen.
I stopped using the Dial soap, touching and playing with it. Both did go away, but there is still a tiny bump on the back.
Maybe a week ago, another bump formed on the front of my tragus. It has gotten slightly bigger over the week. It's swollen, red and a decent size. It also makes my piercing tender and sore. Earlier in the week, there was some yellow puss that did seep from it. It didn't smell foul or anything.
I don't know what I did to cause another bump to occur. I don't feel any heat from it and if I do, it's only because I've moved it too much.
I really have no idea what it is. I did do some research and maybe it's a follicular cyst or kelloid, but I'm not sure. My cousin (who gets these bumps often on her industrial) convinced me to see what is inside of it, by trying to pop it. We used a sterile needle. Nothing but blood came out, no puss or anything. Since then (two days ago) it has gotten bigger.
Although, I did go swimming yesterday, but I didn't go under water except once.
So, my question is, from what I've said..is it just a bump or an infection? I'm considering going back to the piercer, who is an RN, and ask him what I should do. Do you have any opinions or solutions that might help me? If you need pictures of it, I can get them uploaded.
Thank you for reading this (lengthy) post. Any help is appreciated.
From your lengthy post, you gave us one important piece of information as to why you developed the second bump and why there is still a little one in the back of the piercing.
YOU STILL MOVE THE JEWELLERY! Even just once in awhile, its enough to irritate it and at some point you irritated it enough for the body to believe that there is still a problem and send out the fibrous tissue to solve the problem.
LEAVE THE PIERCING ALONE! There is absolutely no reason to bother this piercing. The more you bother it, the longer it will take for the bump to dissipate.
Popping it was probably the worst thing you could have done to it. Now it will take even longer for it to dissipate because it believes there is another injury in the same spot. Please if you must do something, just put a warm compress on it and if you find crusties, remove with a Q-tip after soaking.
Keep in touch
Ooh, thank you very much. I'll not touch it anymore or play with it. Tomorrow I'm going to the piercer, so if it's significant enough to post about, I will.
But thanks so much for replying, I really appreciate it. I'm not as worried about an infection now.
Have a nice day.
Glad that we could help. And yes, please keep us informed of your progress.
