Can you get cellulitis from an ear piercing?

Cellulitis usually begins in an area of broken skin, like a cut, bite, or scratch. People who have body piercings may be at risk for cellulitis because the piercing hole is a chance for bacteria to get beneath the skin’s surface.

Can a cartilage piercing infection spread?

Leaving an infected piercing untreated can result in a more severe infection or an abscess (a swollen area filled with pus). Upper ear piercings are more likely to get infected. Left untreated, these infections can spread into your body (called a systemic infection).

Can you get sepsis from a cartilage piercing?

Tattoos and body piercings provide an opening in the skin that may allow germs to enter your body and cause infections. These infections could cause sepsis. It is for this reason that anyone who receives a tattoo or piercing must take special care to reduce the risk of contracting an infection.

How is cellulitis of the ear treated?

Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. If the infection is mild, you may be able to take antibiotic pills at home. If the infection is severe, you may need to be treated in a hospital so that you can get IV antibiotics directly into your bloodstream, along with any other care you may need.

Can a cartilage piercing cause an ear infection?

If there are signs of an infected cartilage piercing, do not ignore it. It is likely that you may lose a part of your ear with this type of infection. Symptoms of these infections range from swollen cartilage piercing to a cartilage piercing bump.

What to do if you have cellulitis on your piercings?

Cellulitis is when the infection grows beyond the piercing site. Your doctor must confirm the infection is caused by bacteria. Commonly prescribed antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, does not work for these infections because they are not strong enough. Cipro is one of the strong antibiotics that can be prescribed.

How does perichondritis complicate a high ear piercing?

Perichondritis complicating “high” ear piercing. Two thirds of the upper part of the auricle is swollen and red (wide arrow). The lobule, which does not contain cartilage, is intact (long arrow) indicating that the infection is perichondritis and not simply cellulitis.

What should I do if my ear piercing is infected?

1. Traditional Treatments. Knowing the causes and common symptoms of an infected cartilage piercing will help you know how to treat an infected ear piercing. The following are some traditional treatments for these kinds of infections. Antibiotics are the first choice for treating cartilage piercing infections.