Your ear piercing may bleed due to one of the following:
Ear piercing bleeding: the reasons
It is normal to have light bleeding for the first few days after the ear is pierced. This is part of the natural healing process.
How long this takes depends on where it is on your ear. For example, cartilage piercings heal more slowly and are more prone to infection than those on the earlobe.
In the piercing shop
It is completely normal for your piercing to bleed immediately after the procedure. A needle just went right through your skin and (sometimes) cartilage, so at least a little blood should be expected. Piercings can even bleed profusely depending on their location, but this is normal in most cases.
Infected piercing
If the area is swollen or you experience green or yellow discharge, you should see your doctor. In most cases, you will need a short course of antibiotics.
Also, don’t miss out on your piercing cleaning routine, which should be done at least twice a day. It is important that you clean your piercing regularly to keep infection away. Infections can also occur in old ear piercings.
The best aftercare product that I have personally used is the After Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray. It is not only vegan-friendly, but also completely free of alcohol and additives. The solution is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and comes in a generous spray bottle for easy application. When used from the beginning, the spray will shorten healing times and aim to relieve persistent aches or pains.
Poke your piercing
If you accidentally poke your piercing, it can bleed. It is hard to get used to your new piercing. We found it difficult to pull clothes over our heads first. Try to become more aware of your surroundings and first consider if something is affecting your new piercing.
Moving around in bed while you sleep can put too much pressure on you. This is hard to avoid, but be sure to fall asleep on the non-pierced side.
Your ear piercing can be easily injured even if you comb your hair, do your makeup, or wash your face. Again, these are difficult situations to avoid – perhaps put a sticky note next to your makeup mirror to remind you to be careful with your piercing.
Take blood thinners
Blood thinners can cause your piercing to bleed more than usual. For the first few days of healing, avoid taking pain relievers such as aspirin (with your doctor’s approval) or drinking alcohol.
Also, avoid rubbing it with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide until the piercing has healed. These slow down the healing process as they dry out and kill new skin cells.
Remove the crust
Do not remove the crust of your piercing as this may cause bleeding. This happens because the crust may still be clinging to living skin and the wound may tear if removed.
Removing the scab should only be done while cleaning your piercing. However, do not do this by force and use only a clean cotton swab to remove dirt and crusts that fall naturally. Do not touch a new ear hole directly with your fingers when cleaning it thoroughly first, as germs from your hands can infect it.
Cleaning too much
Cleaning your ear piercing too much can dry out the skin near the piercing wound. This can cause skin cracks and bleeding.
We recommend cleaning your ear piercing twice a day if the healing process is going on normally. If the piercing is infected, you can clean it three or four times a day. You can use tea tree oil to aid the healing process and prevent infections.
How to apply tea tree oil
- Allergy test: Apply some tea tree oil on the inside of your arm or thigh, wait a day, and check for signs of allergic reactions. If nothing happened, you can continue with treatment
- Clean your hands: Use an antimicrobial soap to make sure your hands are sterile
- Apply: After dipping a clean finger in the oil, gently cover the pierced area with it. You can do this twice a day after cleaning your piercing.
Trying to reopen a piercing
Piercing holes can close up surprisingly quickly if you take a break from wearing jewelry for a while. Many people will try to break through the layers of skin that have formed to re-open a closed piercing, which can sometimes damage regrown blood vessels and cause some (usually) light bleeding.
Important ear piercing aftercare steps you take Got to Make sure you take
Some of our other incredibly helpful guides:
Ear Piercing Bleeding – Can it Be Cured?
Ear piercing is an art for those who love jewelry. If you are about to have it then take some precautions and avoid unnecessary pain. You can easily clean your earrings after every use. You should also practice proper hygiene at all times. Here are few tips that will help you when you are about to prick your ears with a needle.
If you are about to clean your infected piercing, don’t use alcohol or any other disinfectant. It will only make matters worse and may cause infections. For serious detail look-out
Clean your ear piercing
Once you have decided to clean your ear piercing, you should first disinfect it with antiseptic cream. The cream can be placed on both sides of your piercing and left there for about half an hour. This will kill any infections in the skin and tissues. While cleaning, make sure to clean the surrounding skin too. If you are going for a jewelry removal session, you can cover your piercing with gauze or a bandage to protect it from dust and grit.
Pain Killers?
When you are about to prick your earrings, you should consider using some painkillers. These may sound a little bit strange, but many people prefer ear-piercing bleeding without any painkillers. This is because they do not want to have their body feel the pain of the piercing and the bandage over the wound is a hindrance. In cases of a minor infection, over-the-counter pain killers will work fine. There are also some antiseptics that you can buy from the local drugstore. However, if you are suffering from an infection that has spread to the other body parts like arms, legs, chest and throat, it’s best to consult your doctor for prescribed pain killers and antibiotics.
Local Anesthetic?
A common cause of ear piercing bleeding is an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic. Anesthetic is used to open up the piercing so the earring is more visible. Some people react to local anesthetics by having a tingling sensation in the ear and around the earlobe. Although this may be a mild pain sensation, it can cause further infections if the same thing spreads to the other body parts.
Improper Cleaning
Another common cause of the bleeding is improper cleaning. Before you start your day, always make it a point to clean your ears and hands with soap and warm water. You may also use cleansing agents and alcohol to clean your piercing infection but be sure to clean your hands thoroughly first before putting any alcohol on them.
Earrings with a metal clip have the tendency to transfer the crust to other parts of the body. In order to prevent the crust from shifting, wrap the piercing in a piece of sterile gauze or cheesecloth. Clean the gauze or cloth regularly to prevent the crust from worsening. In case the wound does not heal, you will have to visit a doctor who will be able to prescribe an antibiotic ointment or cream to speed up the healing process.
Healing Process
You can also speed up the healing process by keeping your skin warm. Wrap a warm damp towel around the wound twice daily to encourage the blood to circulate. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water as well; this will help in the healing process as well. Ear piercing should only be performed by people who are knowledgeable about its proper maintenance.
It is important to keep the skin near your piercing wound clean and dry. Cleaning the skin near your piercing wound is very easy. Simply wet the area with warm water and apply some of the cleaning agent you have been using. For better results, you can use some natural cleansing agent like neem oil or tea tree oil, which is both safe and effective for healing.
Speed up Healing Process
If you want to speed up the healing process, you can apply tea tree oil directly onto the piercing. The oil will naturally penetrate the skin, making it much easier to remove. If you don’t want to apply tea tree oil directly onto the piercing, you can use cotton swabs. Simply soak the swab in the oil and use it to clean the area. Be sure to leave the swab in place for the whole night.
Ear piercing can definitely heal your infection if it is done in the right way. However, if the bleeding is too severe, it is a good idea to see a doctor for more advice. Sometimes, the only way to heal this type of infection is through surgery. It’s always best to consult your doctor first.
Final thoughts
Ear piercing bleeding could be a sign of infection or not following follow-up instructions. Less serious factors can also be the cause.
Look out for symptoms associated with the bleeding, such as swelling, excessive redness, or green / yellow pus. In this case, contact a doctor. We recommend that you do not touch your piercing too hard and never move or change the piercing jewelry before it heals.
