Not healing after a year, please help!

[RosieMuffin]

Hi everyone,

I've had my earlobes pierced 3 times now (all in the same place, the first two failed)
The first time was with a gun and I ended up having to let the holes close over because of infinite problems. I then tried again with a gun a couple of years later and the same thing happened.

This time last year I plucked up the courage to get them done properly with a needle (have a major needle phobia hence why it took me 3 odd years to do it :P) They seemed to be healing nicely yet 6 months down the line I was still catching my BCRs and making them sore so went back the piercing studio and they changed them for titanium barbells.

So, to the point.. it's been just over a year now since I got the needle piercings done and my ears are still painful and haven't healed up. I know i'm not allergic to any metals and i've also had antibiotics and anti-bacterial cream from my doctor, neither of which have made any difference.

Has anyone else had this problem, or does anyone have any advice of what I could try next?

Thanks for reading!
Rosie

[Boo]

When you say haven't healed up what symptoms are you experiencing?
Do the bars seem too long or short?
How have you/were you cleaning them?
Are you 100% sure they're titanium?

[Just_vix81]

Have you tried wearing ptfe/bioplast jewellery???

[RosieMuffin]

When you say haven't healed up what symptoms are you experiencing?
Do the bars seem too long or short?
How have you/were you cleaning them?
Are you 100% sure they're titanium?

They're basically just very sore and feel like new piercings still.
I started cleaning them everyday again when I got them changed to barbells, and the left piercing is a tiny bit scabby/crusty
And i'm definitely sure they're titanium, I did a lot of research and asking around to make sure I went to a good/honest piercing studio

[Boo]

How are you cleaning them? PTFE could be an idea for you as Pinxy says.

[RosieMuffin]

Have you tried wearing ptfe/bioplast jewellery???

No I haven't, but i'm not even sure as to what that is!

[RosieMuffin]

How are you cleaning them? PTFE could be an idea for you as Pinxy says.

With saline solution and then putting on fucidin cream which my doctor prescribed me. What difference would PTFE make? I'm not entirely sure what it is!

[Just_vix81]

This is from this site :
PTFE is an amazing material that is completely inert, biocompatible and flexible.
PTFE is also non-stick, so you will get less lymph build up.
It is ideal for reducing stress on facial piercings and for navel piercings during pregnancy.
You can also wear PTFE body jewellery during X-rays, surgery and in hospital.
As well as PTFE we also have a great choice of Bioplast Body Jewellery – another medical grade piercing material.

[RosieMuffin]

Thanks for your help, I will definitely try PTFE and see if it makes a difference!

[Just_vix81]

Ask your piercer if they sell ptfe/bioplast as it would be better to get the sterlised before wearing them just as your ears are irritated.