Bloody Swollen Helix Pain... Infection?

[Boo]

1. Some bleeding is normal, if it's stopped then you're all good.
2. If it's sore then any painkillers will do.
3. Swelling, again normal, how to help it - cold soaks, cold compresses, anti-inflammatories (eg ibuprofen) if you can take them, avoid sleeping on it (if you have long hair put it in a ponytail on that side so you don't roll onto it or get a travel/ring pillow), extra pillow at night to elevate your head, don't touch it/play with it.
4. Lump is probably just a reaction to your body healing something.
5. 3 days is VERY early days, these suckers can take 6 months or more to feel settled.

Pics - can't tell much but the barbell looks snug without embedding. Keep a close eye on it and make sure it's not getting any tighter. If any of your symptoms get worse, excessive pain, excessive swelling, intense aching/throbbing, oozing green/smelly pus then see a doctor. Whilst infections are rare they're not impossible but you usually know when you have one due to the pain they can cause.

Bar is titanium right?

[Thehorror]

The bump looks totally fine. It might stick around for a while but it's not a huge deal, and I don't think a doctor could help you much anyways.

And like Hazel said, bars look a little snug but not too bad. My helix loved ice the first week or so... 5 minutes can make a big difference.

[Hayley_Flo]

Thanks Hazel. I'll buy some painkillers after work today and probably invest in a travel pillow too

I guess I should consider myself lucky that none of my other piercings were like this!

Bar is titanium right?

I certainly hope so. He told me it was!

And like Hazel said, bars look a little snug but not too bad. My helix loved ice the first week or so... 5 minutes can make a big difference.

As for the snugness of the bars, I changed my older piercing from 5mm to 8mm and I'm pretty sure the newer bar is longer than that. I'll head back to my piercer if it gets any more swollen.

And thanks for the tip! I'll stick a bag of frozen peas on my head when I get home

[Hayley_Flo]

UPDATE: Just snagged it whilst putting my jumper on

You would not believe the swear words that just came out of my mouth. F#*K!!

[Spiritual Pony]

Luckily I don't sleep on that side anyway so that's a plus!

I got my left helix pierced exactly for that reason :P

[aileen]

Hi guys can I ask something about cartilage piercing?
Well it has only been 10 days since I got my cartilage piercing. It was okay for the first 6 days, no swelling, no blood, etc.
Then on 7th day its started to sting and I was about to give it a check to the piercer. Apparently the piercer got tighter accidentally so she loosened it up for me. But the next day it started to swell more. It was red and throbbing also. And it started to bleed a little with small discharge of white yellowish liquid. Is it a sign of infection? I saw from several online sites that it was quite normal for new cartilage piercings but I'm not sure on when I should start worrying about it.

[Hayley_Flo]

Hi Aileen!

Apparently the piercer got tighter accidentally so she loosened it up for me.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by this ^^

But everything else sounds fine to me. In fact it sounds a lot like mine! (which btw has pretty much sorted itself out now thanks to everyone's help. Yay!) A little bit of discharge is normal but maybe see your piercer again (or a doctor) if it changes colour or gets a bit smelly.

For the swelling and pain try making some chamomile tea and freezing it in an ice cube tray. The ice feels so good on an ouchy ear. Also ibruprofen (however you spell it!) works a treat!

UPDATE: Also, try not to touch it! and if you have to make sure your hands are clean!

2nd UPDATE: Oh and don't forget your sea salt soaks!

[missmarvelx]

Clean using salt water and check with your piercer

[bollatay]

I also had one of those behind the ear bumps with a cartilage piercing last year, the bump is like a flattened pea now. It's hard and doesn't hurt, it's just a little odd.

My helix and industrial both bled like crazy, to be expected I think. My helix was a nightmare to heal but that was due to ridiculously impractical jewelry (oversized spiral) that got caught on everything. As soon as I changed to something sensible things went a whole lot smoother.

Aileen, it sounds like you might have just irritated it, knocked it by accident or something. Be gentle with it and clean as these guys have said.