I recently got two new piercings on my earlobe. I haven't been keeping up with the salt soak very well, but I have been using the cleaning solution that the piercing shop sold me. The problem is, the solution dries out the skin on my earlobe. This, combined with the healing process, has been making my lobe really itchy. The skin has gotten all dry and flaky and it looks gross. So I've been putting Vaseline and Aquaphor on the lobe, just to combat the itchy dry skin. Is this ok? It looks a lot better now, but I just wanted to know if this could cause an infection. Thank you, r/piercing!
Stop using the solution. You don't need to put anything on new piercings. You can clean them by rinsing them gently in the shower, or by using saline wound wash.
I wouldn't recommend using petroleum products or any thick ointments on a healing piercing. It stops air from getting to the piercing, which aids in healing. Leave it alone and don't touch the piercing or jewelry. Your skin is irritated right now. Less is more.
I'm not actually putting it on the piercing, just on the flaky parts of my skin. I don't think any has actually touched the piercing?
Also, I'm interested in the solution thing. Is there a reason why most piercing shops tell you to use a cleaning solution, if it's not necessary?
What kind of jewellery are you wearing in your lobes? For me, itchy/flaky skin is a sure sign of an allergic reaction (probably to nickel) and resulting infection.
Ah, I thought it was common for wounds to become itchy as they heal? The flakiness is from me scratching at it.
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