Today, I have an infected piercing because I'm allergic to the metal. My ear is so swollen that I can't remove the jewelry. It won't get better until I'm able to remove the jewelry. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I was taking my earrings out and thought I had lost the back of one. Turns out my ear infection has caused the flesh of my ear to grow around and engulf the back of my earring and it is still stuck in there. FML
Today, I spent the first day of my senior year in the ER because my new ear piercing got so infected that the doctors had to cut the earring out. FML
Today, and for the past few days, I've become aware that it's absolutely the worst time ever to get an infection after getting my right ear pieced, and having to walk around with a big Band-aid on my earlobe. FML
Today, I got a new piercing because I was trying to be spontaneous. Now, I realize its placement is off and I hate it. FML
Today, I have a tooth infection that's spread to my jaw and ear. It hurts so badly that I'm practically in tears. Today's also the day I found out I'm allergic to the medication I was prescribed. Everything hurts, I'm covered in hives, and I can't stop throwing up. FML
Today, something blocked my ear. I couldn't get it out, so I went to Urgent Care so I didn't pop my eardrums. Turns out my allergies made my ears stop draining. After they rinsed my ears, I can now hear almost nothing. FML
Today, I got a second piercing in my ear. I needed help cleaning the back, so I asked my dad for help. I told him to careful, but right when I did, he tore the earring out with the cotton swab. Thanks, dad. FML
Today, I swallowed the piercing that I had bought for my tongue yesterday. FML
Today, I had a spur of the moment idea to go have my nose pierced. The piercer made sure to tell me how easily the little stud could get caught or hung up. I spent all day stressing over it only to scratch my nose and rip it out. Now I have a $40 bleeding hole in my nose. FML
Today, I got my eyebrow pierced. By a fish hook. FML
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Top comments
Ashamed_Sister 60
It sounds like you have to cut off your ear.
necklacethief 23
See a doctor.
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Comments (84)
kirkaygri 18
Tea Tree Oil. It will take the swelling down enough you can get the earring out. And it will work pretty quickly. I'm allergic to nickel and gold, super fun allergies, and have had this happen a few times with jewelry that claims to be "hypoallergenic." I have a spot on my neck from a necklace I just wore. It sucks. I wear sterling silver earrings now, to avoid having any issues.
thisguy22 33
When all else fails, use force.
jackler92 16
Just cut the ring
Steephx0 23
Google Association of Professional Piercers and use their site to find an APP approved piercer near you. They can get you properly fitted with high quality titanium studs/hoops/barbells. Do not take the piercing out (this is what your doctor will tell you to do) because without the jewelry inside, the skin will have no exit point for the infection and trap it inside. Just go to a piercer asap and get better quality jewelry put in. I have about 15 piercings and if I ever have a problem with them I go to my piercer before my doctor as they usually have a better answer than "just take it out."
HeartYou101 31
I agree with this! I had approx. 15 piercings as well during my teenage years and after I got each one done, I got a leaflet from the place stating this information. 90% of my piercings got infected, not because I'm unhygienic (far from it), or that I didn't look after them properly, it was because my body usually reacted badly for the first 2 weeks to a change/foreign object in my ears/nose/lip (I could have been allergic, but I doubt it). I always stuck it out and it would always heal eventually. I would recommend either going back to the piercer or try cleaning it 3 times a day with surgical spirits and drying it afterwards with a cotton swab and apply ice where possible. Once the "nasty" swelling has gone down, use saltwater/seasalt instead until it's better (and clean your piercing's openings with saltwater/babywipe at least once a week, even after it's healed)...Good luck OP!
Sora_McKain 36
I think you're missing the point though. You know, where it says that the OPs ear is so swollen that the jewelry CANNOT be removed.
laden_swallow09 35
Call in the bolt cutters!
creepyclowntown 10
so sorry, I was like that and thought I could only wear gold earrings because of that. Then I found out nickel free works on me too so don't give up
ThrottleJockey 36
Time to go Picasso on that piercing! Be glad it's not in your tongue though.
holly_fly 34
Then she'd be an Avox!
ThrottleJockey 36
True, I guess she'll have to Goh another route.
chaticon1 2
There is a difference between an allergic reaction and an infection! If it's infected, it will be leaking gross green or yellow pus. If that is the case, you need to see a doctor and you CANNOT remove the jewelry until the infection is gone, or you will only trap the infection under your skin and risk getting it in your blood stream. In most cases, it is only irritated, like in the case of an allergic reaction to the metal. Make a solution of warm (not hot) water and sea salt and soak the piercing for a couple minutes, this will help with the swelling and irritation. Then go back to your piercer and they can help with a jewelry change or removal, they have plenty of experience with this type of thing. I always have to have titanium jewelry when a piercing is new, my body doesn't tolerate stainless steel until the piercing is healed. Do NOT use alcohol, antibiotic ointment, etc. The former will just dry out your skin and the latter will just create a breeding ground for bacteria, neither of which is helpful. Good luck!
NotCollegeBound 17
This is how seven-year-old me found out about my severe nickel allergy. I got my ears pierced for the first time and six months later they still hadn't healed. I eventually managed to get some gold studs into them so they could finish healing, but I've been careful about what I put in my ears since then. Best of luck OP!
apcsox 18
Could've been worse. My ex had an allergic reaction to her piercings..... Her nipple piercings.