Crusting is a natural sign that your old or healed piercing may go through. But why is my old ear piercing crusty? The crust is made up of dead skin cells, bacteria, and debris. The broken tissue needs to dry out and heal, and it becomes crusted when air can’t reach it. If you have an ear piercing that is crusting over, you may wonder whether changing your earrings is necessary. When you switch out your earrings, the crust falls off, and it prevents bacteria from getting trapped under the crust. It’s essential to go to a reputable piercer and follow aftercare instructions strictly. However, after taking all the necessary precautions, piercings can still become infected. If you experience prolonged tenderness, swelling, discharge, warmth, or redness, these are all signs that you may have an infection.
To promote healing and keep the piercing clean, it’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals, such as alcohol, peroxide, soap, or anything containing benzalkonium chloride. Instead, we recommend using an aftercare spray. Usually, it takes a few days for the piercing to heal completely, and it should be fully healed within a week.
What Is Crust?
After getting a piercing, crusts can occur as a consequence. The crust consists of lymphatic fluid, epithelial debris, and dead blood cells. It seeps out clear and eventually dries to a yellowish color when exposed to air. When you notice crusts, dry skin, or clear to pale yellow seepage, wipe them with a wet cotton ball. If your piercing is discharging dark yellow, green, or brown discharge, then your piercing may be infected.
If you notice crusts around your piercing, clean them thoroughly. The best way to clean your crust is to use a saline solution. Do not pick your crusts off, it will introduce bacteria from your hands to your piercings. You can use a clean cotton swab in a saline solution. Keep your prepared solution in a bottle and use some Q-tips in a clean plastic bag, so that you can swab away crusts if they appear throughout the day.
What Kinds of Crusts Can Form Around Old Pierced Ears?
You will notice several kinds of crusts around your old ear piercings. They are blood crust, ear cheese, white discharge, and brown crust. I will give details about them below:
1. Blood Crust
If you have recently pierced your ears, you may notice blood crust around your ear piercing. To heal your piercing properly, you can use saline solution. Right after you get your piercing, it will bleed. When you go to sleep, do not put pressure on your piercing. As this will bleed. If you try to remove this build-up crust, it may result in bleeding. Taking aspirin or drinking alcohol can worsen the situation.
Your piercing will tend to close if you don’t wear jewelry for an extended period. Do not clean your skin excessively, as this will remove regenerating cells. Use tea tree oil to prevent infections and speed up the healing process.
2. Ear Cheese
Ear cheese is a brownish-gray discharge that is a natural part of having pierced ears. It is a buildup of oil and dead skin cells. Neglecting to clean our ears can result in buildup, which can mix with the skin’s natural moisturizer, and sebum, and create a breeding ground for bacteria. This can cause an unpleasant odor resembling cheese.
It is important to thoroughly clean the earlobe after applying soap and water. Gently clean the piercing hole with rubbing alcohol and gauze. If alcohol stings, use a pierced ear solution. An infected piercing will be sore, red, and swollen with a pus discharge. Dry, cracked, and peeling skin indicates an allergic reaction to the metal earring. Earrings with a hinge back can be a solution to remove and clean them easily.
3. White Discharge
Ear infections can be caused by the discharge that is getting out from your ear. Sometimes, a white or yellowish liquid may be secreted by your ear as it heals from a piercing, or sebum from your oil glands may accumulate on your piercings. However, these types of discharge do not require immediate medical attention.
4. Brown Crust
The brown crust is dried blood and lymph fluid. It will fall off on its own. The crust around the jewelry forms because air cannot pass through the broken tissue and dries it out. The crust tries to protect the new skin that forms beneath it. The new skin is similar to scabs on other parts of your skin. Do not use harsh chemicals, such as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, soap, etc. Although, it is recommended to use The After Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray. Your piercing should begin to heal within a week. However, if the crust is getting thicker or if you notice symptoms, such as redness or swelling, you should consult a doctor or piercer.
Should I Leave the Crusties On My Piercing?
It is important not to remove the crusties around a healing piercing, as it can introduce bacteria from your hands and increase the risk of infection. Instead, soak the piercing in a warm saline solution to soften the crusties, and then wash it thoroughly. Crusting refers to a clear or yellow area that appears around a piercing while it is healing. These symptoms are natural during the healing process. You will know that your piercing has healed when there is no more discharge, swelling, redness, flaking, or soreness. The proliferation stage of healing is when a piercing reaches its true healing. Improper cleaning of the piercing can lead to unsightly lumpiness, redness, swelling, and infection. To clean your piercing properly, soak it in a saltwater or saline solution for at least five minutes twice a day.
In most cases, it is safe to change the jewelry to a smaller, sterile piece after 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy. This will allow the wound to heal over the next few days. It is not harmful to remove old earrings and replace them with new ones. If the crust is uncomfortable, you can lightly scrub it with a washcloth or soft cloth. If that doesn’t work, use a stronger cleanser like hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. However, be gentle to avoid removing any skin around the piercing, which can increase the risk of infection. If the crust persists or becomes infected, seek immediate medical attention. A doctor may use a scalpel to remove the crust, and the piercing will heal quickly and without additional pain.
What Are the Different Reasons for Having Crusty Ear Piercings?
I have mentioned some common reasons for having crusty ear piercings. It can happen due to old and unused ear piercings, allergies, bacteria buildup, seborrheic dermatitis, ear eczema, etc. I have given the details below:
1. Crustiness On Old Ear Piercings
The crustiness around the old ear piercing is a common occurrence. After getting your ears pierced, you will notice some crustiness around the piercing. It is caused by the drying out of dead blood cells and plasma when it is exposed to air. You should opt for cleaning the crust out each time you notice it is building up.
2. Allergies
When you wear earrings that are made of cheap and unsafe materials, such as nickel, it could cause allergies and crusty ears. You should use high-quality earrings that are made of nickel-free gold or silver, surgical stainless steel, rhodium-plated earrings, platinum, silicon, or titanium-based earrings.
3. Bacteria-Buildup
You may also accumulate bacteria around your new piercings which will end up as crusty ears. It could lead to a bad infection when it is left untreated. If you notice any color changes, it could be an indication that your piercing is infected, and it will appear yellow. You should disinfect the piercing to prevent further infection.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that can cause crusty ears. It can result from the overgrowth of a specific type of yeast where this kind of yeast feeds on sebum from the skin. The affected skin will be dry, flaky, or crusty. This condition is treatable and controllable, but it is not curable.
5. Ear Eczema
Ear eczema is a skin condition that is also responsible for crusty ears. It can appear not only on ear piercings but also on other parts of the body. Ear eczema can be caused by metal jewelry or beauty products. When it is left untreated, the crustiness will lead to inflammation and infection of the ear canal. If you have a history of eczema, you should look for the appropriate preventive or treatment medication.
What Are the Solutions for Crusty Old Ear Piercings?
I have mentioned some feasible solutions to treat crusty old ear piercings. To get rid of crusts in ear piercings, you should follow these solutions:
- Use a gentle antiseptic to prevent infection from your ear piercing. Apply a cortisone cream. You can also use saline solution in warm water.
- You can also clean your piercing with a gentle cleanser and water instead of saline water. This is an effective option while you’re in the shower or while washing your face.
- If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you should clean the area with warm soapy water. You should use the recommended shampoos to clear out the dry, flaky skin.
- Avoid jewelry that is nickel-based or incites allergy. You should use jewelry that is made of titanium, surgical stainless steel, rhodium-plated gold, and any nickel-free earrings.
- When cleaning your jewelry, avoid the temptation to turn it around. This can irritate the skin and delay the healing process.
- It’s important never to touch your healing piercing because your hands carry germs that can cause infections. An infection could lead to the removal of the piercing or, the closure of the piercing altogether.
- When you get a piercing, avoid lying on the pierced area for extended periods. This can trap bacteria and moisture, increasing your chance of developing an infection.
- You can shower with a fresh piercing but rinse the area with warm water to remove any shampoo or conditioner residue that can cause irritation and delay the healing process.
How Should I Clean My Old Pierced Ears to Remove Crusts?
Taking care of your old pierced ears is a painless and straightforward process, but it’s crucial to follow the right protocol to avoid infections.
Here’s a quick guide on how to clean the crust on your piercing:
Step One:
Spray the saline solution directly onto your skin. Take enough solution to moisten the crust and loosen it up. When you over-spray the solution, it can seep into the piercing and interfere with the healing process. To remove the scab, you need to allow air to hit the tissue and dry it out.
Step Two:
Let the solution dry on your air. The crust will fall off on its own. If the spray doesn’t remove the crust, use a cotton swab or Q-tip to push it off gently.
Step Three:
Use this cleaning process three times a day. Be consistent in this cleaning process. You will eventually be able to prevent the crust reformation. Within a few days, you will notice your piercing is starting to heal. It will be completely healed within a week.
Step Four:
Do not use harsh chemicals, such as alcohol, peroxide, soap, or benzalkonium chloride. To clean your piercing, use a saline spray solution. It is recommended to use The After Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray. It will reduce the healing times by eliminating any pain or soreness.
Tips for The Care Method of Crusty Old Ear Piercings
To properly care for an old piercing to prevent crustiness and to wear earrings again, follow the tips which are given below:
- Remember to thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap before applying saline solution to the piercing by using a Q-tip or cotton swab.
- Gently clean the wound by removing any crust or dried blood, then dry the area with a clean towel or tissue.
- Seal in growth factors that assist in wound healing by applying Vaseline Original Healing Petroleum Jelly.
- When cleaning your piercing, avoid using hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or harsh cleansers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and other alpha and beta hydroxy acids.
Final Thoughts
Crusty ears can be a scary sight, especially when you don’t know the cause. However, skin allergies to metals are the primary culprit in most cases. Additionally, crustiness can be a normal part of the healing process for ear piercings. To minimize the chances of developing crusty ears, it’s crucial to use safe skin products and jewelry. If you wear earrings, it’s essential to be mindful of changes in the skin barrier. Consulting with your piercer is always a good idea if you’re unsure about anything. They have the expertise and experience to provide guidance and recommend suitable follow-up care. If you suspect an infection, it’s crucial to see a dermatologist. They can assess the severity of the infection and recommend the best course of treatment. Regardless of the infection’s severity, all skin infections should be treated professionally to avoid complications. Lastly, proper care is essential for healing a crusty piercing. By following the tips mentioned above and maintaining proper care, you can enjoy a clean, healthy, and healed piercing in no time.