So you just had a new ear piercing a couple of days ago. And now you’re frustrated because you cannot flaunt it yet due to the fact that it’s infected. Continue reading to know how you can get rid of that infection at home ASAP.

Did you know that it’s not just a new ear piercing that can get infected, but also an old one? Even the slightest tugging and irritation can actually leave an ear piercing that you got years ago infected. So in other words, it’s very important for you to be very kind and gentle to an ear piercing, be it something old or new.

But definitely, a recently-acquired ear piercing is more susceptible to becoming infected. Especially if the piercing is done in an unsanitary place with the use of unsanitary tools, an infection may strike. And by the way, you may also end up with a contagious disease if you get your ears pierced at the wrong place by the wrong person!

So what should you do if your new (or old) ear piercing appears infected? Observe. If the site is extremely swollen and there’s a lot of greenish or yellowish pus, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. This is especially true if you are also encountering other symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, chills and fever.

But if none of those unusual symptoms are around, then it’s very much possible for you to put the infection under control at home. Here are some of the things to try when you have an infected ear piercing:

Put a Few Drops of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil possesses impressive antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and that’s why you may count on it if your ear piercing is showing signs of infection. Place a few drops of coconut oil on the problem area up to thrice a day in order to keep the infection from worsening.

Apply a Little Aloe Vera Gel

If you have aloe vera plant in your garden, then you can deal with an infected ear piercing without trouble. All you have to do is break off a small portion of a leaf and apply the gel within on the infection. After about 20 minutes, rinse off with water and pat dry. Repeat another time later on in the day.

Wash With Salt Water

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to flush pus and blood out of the infected piercing. The best for the job is lukewarm saltwater that is also capable of zapping bacteria. In half a cup of lukewarm water, dissolve a teaspoon of salt. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and squeeze over the piercing.

Try Tea Tree Oil That’s Diluted

You may also accelerate the healing process of an infected ear piercing, new or old, with the use of tea tree oil — it is very good at killing off infection-causing microbes. But since tea tree oil is so powerful, it should be diluted with equal amounts of water first. Apply diluted tea tree oil on the problem area up to thrice a day.

Let the Piercing Heal

Finally, refrain from inserting an earring into the infected piercing — looking uber fashionable can definitely wait! What you need to do is give the piercing plenty of time to heal itself. Also, refrain from touching the piercing with dirty fingers as it will only make the infection worse.

JUST A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION: Skip trying out these home remedies if the infected piercing is awfully inflamed and filled with pus, and you also have dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, chills and fever as a course of antibiotics may be the best solution for putting the problem under control — so it’s best to go to the hospital right away. Kindly have this article reposted on social media to let everyone you care about know how to deal with an infected ear piercing when it strikes.