How to Treat Infections, Bumps, Or Swelling

If your piercing looks infected or has a bump (not a keloid), or is very swollen, we recommend healing soaks to help your body naturally clear the irritation. It’s important to keep the earring in during treatment — removing it can trap the infection inside and make healing more difficult.

Healing Soaks

This method uses your body’s natural salinity to help flush out bacteria and promote healing. Proper saline concentration is crucial, so we recommend using OceanMist Piercing Aftercare Spray if possible.

How often: Soak your piercing 3–5 times daily for 3–5 minutes until the irritation subsides.

Using OceanMist Piercing Aftercare Spray:

  1. Spray some aftercare solution into a glass cup.
  2. Heat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds (warm, not hot).
  3. Dip a sterile piece of gauze or paper towel to soak up the solution into the saline solution. Or if you have a small enough cup and the placement of the piercing allows you can keep the solution in the cup to dip your ear in.
  4. Place the soaked gauze/paper towel against your piercing or if using a cup dip your ear in the cup enough to cover the piercing area.
  5. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.

Making Your Own Saline Solution:

  1. Pour 1 cup of warm, sterile water into a clean cup.
  2. Add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt and stir until fully dissolved.
    (Avoid using too much salt — a stronger solution can irritate your skin.)
  3. Dip a sterile piece of gauze or paper towel to soak up the solution into the saline solution. Or if you have a small enough cup and the placement of the piercing allows you can keep the solution in the cup to dip your ear in.
  4. Place the soaked gauze/paper towel against your piercing or if using a cup dip your ear in the cup enough to cover the piercing area.
  5. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.

Important Tips:

  • Never clean your piercing with alcohol, peroxide, creams, soaps, or ointments.
    These can damage the skin, burn the piercing, trap dirt or fibers, and delay healing.

General Aftercare Guidelines:

  • For the first two months, clean your piercing twice daily (morning and night).
  • If irritation occurs later, continue cleaning regularly.
  • Clean your piercing any time it comes into contact with potential irritants — after bathing, applying lotions or hair products, or wearing hats.

For more detailed aftercare information, please visit our Aftercare Page!