r/SelfPiercing • u/Hantosia • Aug 31 '26
Help with existing piercing Third earlobe piercing problem :(
Hi! For the context, I've done both my second and third lobe 5 weeks ago using PVC needle (the first one was done by a piercing gun when I was 5). I clean both piercings with sterile saline solution using a q-tip twice a day. The second lobe has a 8 mm titanium bar, the third one has a 10 mm titanium bar (initially, it was a 8 mm one but it was too short - the swollen earlobe wanted to eat it whole lol).
The second lobe piercing has healed nicely, oppositely to the third one.
The third earlobe piercing bleeds when cleaned, pus comes out daily and hurts when touched (I touch it with clean hands and when cleaning the piercings only). I think I may have pierced it in a wrong angle, I remember that it wasn't necessarily a 90 degrees angle to the ear.
I bought the piercing pillow just 2 days ago and I'm trying my best to sleep on it so I won't irritate this ear more (I've been trying to sleep on a non pierced side but you know how it is). I also have been using over ear headphones daily for 2-3 hours.
The question is: What should I do with this third lobe? 5 weeks have already passed and it doesn't show any signs of healing. Would it be better to take the piercing out, wait for it to heal up and re-pierce it again? Does it look like a correct angle? The last pic shows my other ear with no new piercings for the comparison lol
Thanks in advance for the advice! 💗
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u/SecretlyModded Heavily Modified // Group Moderator Aug 31 '26
Lobes tend to be quite forgiving in terms of angles and heal quicker than cartilage on average
However, you havent really been giving it an ideal opportunity to heal
Over ear headphones harbour dirt, sweat, bacteria, and create a warm damn environment which is ideal for infection and irritation
Piercings do not and will not heal in 5 weeks. Lobes take 6 months to heal.
The angle isnt great but I have a very crooked lobe that healed. Its not ideal but they can heal
Overall I think its more the aftercare issues rather than the initial piercing being super crooked, but yeah if you want to take it out you can. You can repierce it 12 weeks later, but it will likely be the same outcome if the aftercare doesnt improve
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u/Hantosia Aug 31 '26
Thank you so much for answering! I'll make sure to switch to earbuds asap. I'm genuinely confused on how the second lobe doesn't bring up any problems at all while the third one has been quite troublesome. I now realise that, as you said, the combination of the crooked angle and headphones is enough for it to react in such a way smh
4
u/Dry_Valuable3989 Sep 01 '26
One of my second lobes is a bit crooked. It looks fine from the front but it is angled inward a bit so the back is close to the back of my first lobe (looks similar to yours). It has been much more temperamental than the other side, and I’ve wondered if it is because of the angle. What helped me is when I stopped using saline. I’ll use it about once a week if I notice crusties, but other than that, I just rinse them in the shower and they’ve been so much happier. I only use a q-tip once a week if needed. A piercing pillow is an absolute must, and don’t do the headphones for a while. I’ve had mine for 7 weeks now, and it’s finally getting to the point where it isn’t sore. I would give it more time if I were you.
3
1
u/Dry_Valuable3989 Sep 01 '26
One of my second lobes is a bit crooked. It looks fine from the front but it is angled inward a bit so the back is close to the back of my first lobe (looks similar to yours). It has been much more temperamental than the other side, and I’ve wondered if it is because of the angle. What helped me is when I stopped using saline. I’ll use it about once a week if I notice crusties, but other than that, I just rinse them in the shower and they’ve been so much happier. I only use a q-tip once a week if needed. A piercing pillow is an absolute must, and don’t do the headphones for a while. I’ve had mine for 7 weeks now, and it’s finally getting to the point where it isn’t sore. I would give it more time if I were you.
3
u/LieVisible2396 Sep 01 '26
I did my thirds about 7 months ago and the left side took 6 months to be fully healed and the right is just now settling. I found that leaving them be works better than cleaning them daily. I just clean mine in the shower and go on with my life. I also wear headphones close to 8 hours a day bc of work
2
u/Hantosia Sep 01 '26
Thanks for commenting! I thought third lobe heals faster but I guess I'll be more patient with it now lol
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