Industrial Piercing
Hey all - I was just curious if anyone has one? I just got one on Sunday and it looks worse today than it did on Sunday! I am hoping it is just irritated because I accidentally grabbed it this morning while moving my hair, but I was hoping that some one had one and could share their experiences with it.
Let me expand on worse than Sunday - red and a little swollen (looks shiny). Hurts a little more, but I think that is from the grabbing incident. After cleaning it is sore - but that is everyday.
Thanks
I didn't know what they were, so I went to wikipedia.
"Industrials typically take anywhere from three months to one year to fully heal and are considerably more painful than conventional piercing."
:thepain: I hope you feel better soon.
:thepain: I hope you feel better soon.
Thanks :)
"Industrials typically take anywhere from three months to one year to fully heal and are considerably more painful than conventional piercing."
Heh - It hurt a whole lot worse than I remember the regular cartilage piercing, too. I told my doctor that it was a Valentine's Day present to myself and she said "So you bought yourself pain for Valentine's??" I had never thought of it that way.
If I remember correctly, it didn't take that long for the other cartilage piercing it to stop hurting daily. It was just that long before I could wake up if I slept on it and have it not hurt. Although this time, it is two holes instead of one.
Is the area warm or hot to the touch? Your ear could fall off. Go see a doctor.
Is the area warm or hot to the touch? Your ear could fall off. Go see a doctor.
Maybe just a tad warmer than the other ear, but not really noticeable. Coincidentally, I have a doctor's appointment on Friday. I think it gets a lot more stinky and hurty if it's gonna fall off......right?? :eek:
If the tissues and nerve endings are dead, no it won't hurt.
If the tissues and nerve endings are dead, no it won't hurt.
Such a delicate way with words, no?
If the tissues and nerve endings are dead, no it won't hurt.
I've had moles removed, and one got infected. The doctor and her assistant were amazed that it didn't hurt.
I've been somewhat disturbed that something that they thought should have been painful wasn't. Not that I want pain, but still.
Totally normal. Your skin is reacting to being wounded, and redness, swelling, and tenderness--all normal. Bumps tend to come and go during the healing process too. You only have to worry if it becomes really, really painful, hot and oozes pus (pus--not lymph (i.e., "crusties").
Industrials are difficult to heal because 1) it's cartilage, and cartilage piercings are a bitch; and 2) the length of the bar makes it prone to being knocked around, which you want to avoid; ETA and 3) there's no blood supply to the cartilage.
Best thing you can do is your sea salt soaks. 1/4 teaspoon pure sea salt (no iodine, no anti-caking agents!) to 8 oz water; heat in microwave until hot (not too hot!); lean your ear into a cup and soak for 5 minutes, then rinse with clear water (or shower). Do this twice a day during the first couple of weeks, then once a day or as needed. Wash with mild soap (special antimicrobial soap called Satin or Provon is best, but you can use any diluted mild liquid soap that your body likes--not Dial!). Do not twist, rotate, or move it to clean!
This is basic aftercare. Don't panic! If you have any more questions about this, let me know--this is my specialty.
Also, I'd like to know--what brand and material is your barbell?
How do you sleep on that thing?
very carefully. In fact, you try to avoid sleeping on it at all. Sleep position adjustments and donut-shaped pillows are frequently employed during the healing process. After it heals, it's fine though.
No industrials for me then. I sleep on my side and most nights flip over at some point. I'd end up with no sleep for a year.
I use to have one. It took about 6 months or so for me to get tired of it and take it out. I do remember it being sore for a while, though.
Cloud! Thank you so much! I knew there was someone on here that knew about it! Honestly - I couldn't tell you what the brand is, but I believe it is stainless steel. I never thought to ask.
I have been using bactine and a Q-tip to clean during the day as instructed by the piercer. I use softsoap in the shower in the morning to clean it after sleeping. I asked a friend who has the same piercing done by the same guy and they were the same instructions she got, but I think she does the salt water (but I don't know if she said sea salt) rinse now. She got hers a few weeks ago.
The worst part is that I don't even know if it is different than the first few days because it has been going so well until the morning when I yanked on it! Stupid hair...
Thanks again!!!
And Pete - I sleep that way, too. It sucks, but I like the piercing enough to deal with it. I just have to sleep on my left side. I was CRAVING sleeping on my right side last night.
STOP using the Bactine IMMEDIATELY! Bactine has never, ever been recommended for puncture wound or piercing care aftercare, and your piercer should be spanked for recommending that. Seriously.
I mention the brand and material because it can be important. There's stainless steel, and stainless steel--inferior grade can cause allergic reactions. Proper implant grade body jewelry stainless does not, and the brand can often be a clue. Titanium is pretty friendly to everyone, though. Do you know what gauge? This is also very important down the line when you want to change jewelry. It's quite common to get very excited and forget to ask these questions. Call your piercer back, and ask, or check on your receipt if you still have it, and make a note.
Resources: go here to review industry standard aftercare:
www.safepiercing.org. Also, buy a copy of The Piercing Bible by Elayne Angel, which I helped write--it really is the "bible" for piercing info.
So what should I use to clean it during the day or shouldn't I? I really can't do two salt soaks twice a day. I don't have time in the morning and I can't do it while at work. I am guessing neosporin would be a no-no, too?
The gauge is similar to what I had when I initially got my tongue pierced. I didn't have a problem with that at all. I have never had an allergy to any metal used while piercing. I have never thought to ask the gauge or what it was made of. I highly doubt I will be changing the jewelry. I like the simple bar. :)
no neosporin. You do not have to "put stuff" on it. Just do as many soaks as you can--even a few minutes will help, and wash it in the shower afterwards with diluted mild soap. Don't rotate it. Don't touch it, especially with unclean hands.
The idea behind the "sss" as we call them, is that salt is a mild antiseptic itself, but also the heat will bring circulation to the wound (or I guess as close as it can with cartilage); and soothe it. Probably the most important benefit is to draw out the dead skin and lymph inside the wound. It will dry it out, so if you tend to dry skin or live in a dry climate, you may have to dab a little bit of skin friendly oil on it after soaking and cleaning. You can use olive oil, jojoba oil, or anything like that.
Most important is to protect it from germs and from trauma. And be patient--you are looking at a years' healing time probably.
I remember the long healing time from the other cartilige piercing, but not much else. I just don't want it to get infected! I was thinking of calling the piercer too and having him look at it, but it has only been 3 days and part of me says to just chill and wait. It is apparently more red than this morning, but that might be because of cleaning it.
One thing I have noticed that makes me think I am over reacting is on Monday, I couldn't wear my ear buds without giving myself a headache from the piercing, but today I am fine.
Thanks again for your help :)
"chill and wait" (nods)
good luck! and let me know if you have any questions. You can find me on the forum at
www.tribalectic.comYou might want to make sure whatever soap you are using doesn't have lotion in it, also. Seems to me like that'd just gunk things up.
Soap can be important. You only need a tiny bit, but remember to wash your body all around to prevent microorganisms from traveling to your piercing. I use diluted Dr. Bronner's, which is a very good soap. Many people like Johnson's baby wash or generic "mild" antibacterial soap--all well diluted. Not the orange Dial!
No lotion in the soap. It looks 100 times better today. I have to go to the store to get some sea salt cause all I have is Kosher and table salt.
kosher might work; if it's pure salt with no iodine and no anti-caking agents. If it's course, you'd have to make sure it's completely dissolved though. I get Neti Pot salt from my natural foods store.
I looked at it last night - it has an anti-caking agent unfortunately. I am going to Harris Teeter (don't know if you have them) at lunch and I am confident that I can find some there.
I also figured out how to sleep on my right side without a donut or hurting myself! I remembered how I did it with the first piercing. So happy now. :)
Quick update for any interested - my ear is doing dandy.
I tried the Sea Salt Soak, but just couldn't figure out how to do it without dumping water all over myself. Couldn't figure out how to dip the ear in at all! So I just decided I would leave it be. Worked great until I woke up Saturday afternoon after a crazy night. I don't know what I did to it, but there was some blood on the bar around the holes. I cleaned it off with soap - which unfortunately meant moving it - and just left it alone again.
It was fine yesterday and is still fine today even after that. Just a little itchy.
Thanks again Cloud for all the help :)
glad to hear it's doing better. As far as the sss's go, you get a cup or a shallow bowl, and either place it on a table and lean your ear into it; or lay it on the ground and lie down with your ear in it. Yes, it's awkward, but it's also awesome for your piercing.
If you get a chance, check out Evolution Body Piercing and/or Noah Babcock on the web or on Facebook, for some magnificent things you can do with industrials.
some magnificent things you can do with industrials.
Any spare rail in our house gets clothes hung on it.
Thanks Cloud - I will check it out
Any spare rail in our house gets clothes hung on it.
According to my friend, it is a pull up bar for my ear gnomes......Not sure which is better
you could accessorize with Barbie clothes on mini hangers
Any spare rail in our house gets clothes hung on it.
:D
you could accessorize with Barbie clothes on mini hangers
Are you this much fun at parties?
Just a quick update - the piercing is doing just fine and I can actually lay on my right side again - yay!! :)