Two Conch Piercings

If you followed our aftercare, you should no longer be cleaning or moving the jewellery.  If this is correct then the itchy feeling is just dryness and moisturizer would be helpful.  You can apply it with a Q-tip to the tissues around the piercing, do not get any inside them.

The dreaded bump is always difficult once you develop one.  If you leave it alone, for a few days, does it start to shrink?  It is hot to touch?  Is it on the inside of the ear or behind it?

What were you thinking about with respect to jewellery?  Are you thinking of connecting the two?  Are you looking for stud type jewellery?

Thanks for the response...

I am no longer cleaning or moving the jewellery, just gently removing any crusties with a wet Q-tip.  The jewellery does rotate a little on its own throughout the day, but I don't think there's anything I can do about that.  I will try moisturizer for the itching.

The bump does shrink when left alone, but not significantly.  It's not hot to the touch, but sore around it.  Surprisingly, it's on the inside of the ear; I've always gotten a bump on the back of the ear for every cartilage piercing I've had, but neither of these conch piercings is showing signs of ever getting one on the back.

As far as jewellery goes, I had hoped to simply leave two parallel hoops in.  I'm not a huge fan of studs...I tried one in my left-ear conch piercing for a while and felt that it looked more like a blemish than a piercing.  However, I'm willing to wear whatever will promote the quickest healing, whether it be studs, or a hoop through the two (if I'm correct in assuming you were referring to an orbital).

I have to say that it's been almost 10 months since I had my left conch pierced, and it still gets irritated very easily no matter what jewelery is in it.  It's not red or swollen, but the tissue around the hole is darkened and somewhat scarred looking, which really isn't the cutest look, and it still forms crusties on occasion.  I take a multivitamin, Vitamin C and Zinc supplement everyday, but I'm not sure it's helping at all.  Any suggestions?

Thanks

We underrstand that the rings will move on their own, we are referring to you taking the ring and flossing it through the piercing daily or regularly and this is what irritates the piercing.  You state that is sore, how frequently or is there any time when you feel no pain at all?  You state that the bump is dissipating when left alone, then all we can suggest is that you leave it alone and let your body heal itself.  Anything that you do will only irritate it.

We are a little bit confused, you state that you had a left conch pierced 10 months ago and are still having problems with that one.  You state that the bump dissipates and then gets darker in colour?  If this is correct, then are you sure you are not bumping the piercing?  The darken colour is a sign of bruising.

Please be a little more clear on what we are talking about so that we can better assist you.

The bump hurts only to the touch, or if I brush against the earring.  I am doing my best to leave the bump piercing alone, but it gets accidentally bumped on an almost daily basis.  Something as slight as holding the phone receiver to my ear (either ear piercing) irritates it.

I don't consider myself to be a clutz and yet I don't notice anyone else having such a difficult time getting his her cartilage piercing to heal.  Am I missing something?  I'm beginning to think my body may just be too sensitive.

Unfortunately, I just developed a bump on the upper piercing as well over the weekend (the one that was healing extremely well until now.)  

The left piercing looks more like scar tissue than bruising and doesn't develop a bump so much as swells a little.  I am Egyptian (read: dark skinned) and scar very easily, which is why I'm so concerned about all three piercings.  

I don't want it to come down to me having to remove all three and being left with three ugly black scars right in the center of my ears.  I'm honestly just very frustrated at this point...I'm doing all the "right" things to promote good healing and yet the piercings just seem to be getting worse.

Do people not sleep, answer the phone, or even move for that matter while trying to heal these piercings?   Sorry if I seem flustered...it's not directed at you.  I just really like the way these look and don't want to have to take them out.

Would it be easier for you to give more accurate advice if I attach a picture or link to a picture of the piercings?

Thanks

Well, I switched to two 14g straight barbells (the shortest I could find) about 3 weeks ago and that seemed to help a little.  However, because the bars were straight and the back of the piercings are pretty close to my head, every time I turned my head to the side the earrings pushed forward and caused more irritation.

So last week I switched again, this time to 14g curved barbells.  WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!  Because they are more fitted to the back of my ear, they don't touch my head at all so I've had zero irritation since they've been in.  Also, I've had 4 different piercers (all against the "leave it the hell alone" method) tell me that I should be doing some sort of aftercare and, at their recommendation, began using a product called H2O (which is essentially sterile saline).  Easy easy aftercare... I just spray a tiny bit on, gently wipe off any crusties if there are any and that's it.

I know the moderators of this site strongly push a short aftercare protocol, but I have to say that 3 months of following the suggested aftercare (as well as a bad jewelry choice) just made my piercings worse and worse.  The switch to better jewelry and simple but effective aftercare has done wonders for them.  I'm thrilled that my piercings are finally starting to look and feel the way I wanted them to.  I strongly recommend short curved barbells during the healing process for conch piercings, and as far as the aftercare protocol...well, to each his own.

I mean no disrespect to the moderators and thank you for your responses... I just wanted to share my experience with others who might want to try a different method.

The jewellery could have been irritating the piercing.  Circular barbells and rings are very similar so we do not know exactly what solved your problem.

With respect to the H2O product, we have had more complaints about it than it doing any good for the most part.  You could have used it just enough to help.  But for the most part, its salt water and if you continue to use it can have a reoccurance of your current problem.

Cartilage piercings are the hardest for some to heal.  The location, length of hair, shampooing and brushing can all affect these piercings.

We are very happy that your piercings are looking better.

I think the difference with the barbells is that there is nothing on the periphery of my ear to get easily knocked around.  With the rings anything from holding the phone to my ear, to shrugging my shoulders to hugging people put pressure on the ring and, in turn, the piercing.  With the barbells snuggly in the conch now, almost nothing touches the jewelry so there is virtually no impact irritation or snagging from a comb brush.

I will keep in mind your advice regarding the H2O and keep any eye out for any signs of irritation.

Thanks again for your responses!

They must be small curved barbells and as long as they are working for you that is wonderful.

Right now, all should be doing is leaving your piercings alone.  Since the jewellery has taken most of the pressure off the piercings, try to just let the body heal itself.  Only use a product if absolutely necessary.