Ear cartilage piercing..

[englishemme]

Hi,

I had my cartilage pierced using a needle a year ago, and it's been sore ever since. I know they're meant to take longer, and the cartilage is an awkward place to have a piercing. I'm getting to the point where I'd like to let it heal up because it's sore when I'm sleeping etc. There's a bulge (it's not a spot) behind the back of my ear which is a little sore, and a little lump on the inside of the ear which doesn't hurt. It doesn't look infected, but I'm wondering whether it's ok for me just to take the stud out and let it heal? If it was infected, would it be a sore red spot with pus? Thanks.

[tamborine]

if it does get sore with oozing - squeeze out till blood shows & apply salt water to help it heal up.

[Greedyfly]

I would imagine the lump is just scar tissue - if you do remove the piercing, just massage it every day - it will soon fade. I had my upper cartlidge pierced about 12 years ago, it took a good 5 maybe 6 years before it stopped hurting. I did find it all depends on what you have in there makes a big difference. I have a nose stud in mine (no back to it, its hooked so it stays in and when I lay on it it doesnt dig in. If you do remove it should be fine, as I say massage it every day you will see it will soon go down. Your right it, if it was infected you would have gunk and it would be very red (been there).