Why does my helix piercing still hurt after a year?

Cartilage piercings typically take longer to heal and are more prone to infection than earlobe piercings. Even when a person follows the aftercare instructions, infections may still occur. An infected ear piercing can also develop years after a person got the original piercing.


Does a helix piercing ever stop hurting?

“Pain tolerance varies, but generally your helix will hurt more than your lobes as it is less fleshy,” says Freed. Cartilage tissue is denser, which can require more force to pierce through, resulting in a bit more pain. But the pain is temporary, and your beautiful new piercing is forever.

Why is my helix piercing hurting after a year?

It can take up to two years, or more, for a piercing to completely heal. It may have felt like it healed on the outside, but was still working towards it on the inside. It's normal for a piercing to feel completely healed before it really is.


Is it normal for a piercing to still hurt after a year?

If your piercing is older, and you still feel some pain, have a piercer take a look. Your piercing may not be healing properly, or it could be rejecting. (It's not a bad idea to visit your piercer, regardless, just to ensure that your piercing is healing correctly.)

How long does it take for a helix piercing to stop hurting?

How long does the pain last? It is normal for your ear to hurt immediately after getting a cartilage piercing, pain that commonly lasts for two weeks to a month. Be careful to not sleep on the side that was pierced: Doing so will cause healing complications and unnecessary discomfort.


How To: Help Sooth Helix Flare-Ups!



Why is my helix piercing in so much pain?

Cartilage piercings are more painful than ear lobe piercings but less painful than other kinds of body piercings. This is because cartilage tissue is thick and hard. So, you are bound to experience some pain and discomfort. To get an idea about how much it will hurt you, try pinching the ear cartilage area.

Why does my cartilage piercing hurt after years?

Cartilage piercings typically take longer to heal and are more prone to infection than earlobe piercings. Even when a person follows the aftercare instructions, infections may still occur. An infected ear piercing can also develop years after a person got the original piercing.

Do piercings ever truly heal?

Most people can tell their piercing has healed when there is no redness, the tissue feels normal in the area of the piercing and the normal healing discharge (crust that gathers on the jewelry) has subsided," he said. "A piercing becoming permanent, where jewelry can be removed for hours or days, is never guaranteed."


Will my piercings ever stop hurting?

So as long as you've been extra careful with your new piercing, you can expect about a week of soreness, but if you experience lingering soreness longer than a week or so, you know where to go!

What is the longest piercing to heal?

A helix piercing is in the cartilage of the upper ear. While it's not a particularly painful procedure, it has one of the longest healing times, taking 6–12 months to completely heal.

Is my body rejecting my helix piercing?

Changes in skin

If the skin is looking thinner or tighter around the piercing, or above the jewellery, it's a possible sign of rejection. As well, the colour of your skin changing around the hole is another potential sign. Transparent/near-transparent skin is a very likely sign of rejection.


How do you heal a stubborn helix piercing?

Aftercare for a helix piercing is as simple as washing it twice a day with saline solution (or antimicrobial soap, says Earnest). The hardest part of the process isn't the washing, though; it's making sure to do everything in your power to avoid irritating your piercing.

How do you treat an irritated helix piercing?

Management and Treatment
  1. Applying a warm compress to the infected earlobe or cartilage.
  2. Rinsing the infected earlobe with sterile saline.
  3. Using antibiotic ointment on the affected area.
  4. Taking oral antibiotics for more severe infections.


Why is my cartilage piercing throbbing?

To identify an infection, a person needs to know what to expect after a tragus piercing. For around 2 weeks, it is typical to experience: throbbing and discomfort around the area. redness.


Is a hoop or stud better for cartilage piercing?

Is a Hoop or Stud Better for Cartilage Piercing? Professionals recommend doing cartilage piercing with a stud. It is easier for the piercing to heal around the straight post of a stud because it allows for more room for potential swelling.

How do you know if your helix piercing is infected?

Your piercing might be infected if:
  1. the area around it is swollen, painful, hot, very red or dark (depending on your skin colour)
  2. there's blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow.
  3. you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell.


How do I know if my piercing is rejecting?

Symptoms of piercing rejection

more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing. the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days. the jewelry becoming visible under the skin. the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.


What piercings hurt the most in order?

Here is how much each type of piercing may hurt in order of most painful to least painful.
  • Genital piercing. Your genitals are among the most nerve-dense areas on your body. ...
  • Nipple piercing pain level. The nipple is another commonly pierced area that's pretty sensitive. ...
  • Nose piercing pain level. ...
  • Dermal piercing pain.


How long should a piercing feel sore?

Much like redness and swelling, pain – especially tenderness – is most common within the first 2 days of a new ear piercing. However, it is not unusual for piercings to be painful or tender to the touch within the first 2 weeks.

What piercing heals the slowest?

Nose. Nose piercings are notoriously hard healers, as they are a very sensitive area due to the nerves that run though. They take at least 12 weeks before being able to be changed, and even then, may need more time.


When can I put a hoop in my helix?

You need to wait until the upper ear cartilage is completely healed before changing your helix earring. It's important to wear the same piece of jewelry used to pierce your helix as you heal.

Which piercings are not permanent?

No matter what it looks like, though, a dermal piercing isn't permanent; your skin will eventually grow in such a way that pushes the anchor up to the surface and out.

Do some cartilage piercings never heal?

However, cartilage is notoriously difficult to heal. When you pierce your cartilage, it's important to know that cartilage doesn't heal quite the same way as other tissue. While fleshier areas will do a good job of healing themselves, cartilage takes its time.


Can your body reject a piercing After years?

Rejection usually happens in the weeks and months following a new piercing, but it can also happen years, even decades, later. If you bump your old piercing in an odd way or have an infection that kicks your immune system into overdrive, you might suddenly see signs of migration and rejection.

Do cartilage piercings always heal?

'Piercings don't heal overnight. Ear lobes may take 8-10 weeks but cartilage takes 3-5 months to full heal. 'Even if it looks good, it's still healing. Cartilage heals from the outside in, making a tunnel all the way through your ear which takes time.