Gauging ears...

[Eevee]

Okay.

So I've been gradually gauging my ears, more quicker recently then in the past year. I just went from a 8g to a 6g on Sunday, and it really hurt...hurt more then any of my other gauges.

I figured it would pass.

But it still stung...even when I woke up at 4:45 AM today. So...I pulled out the gauge because I figured enough was enough, and it began bleeding! Ughh...

So, I dabbed at the blood, and looked up solutions online.

Most of them say to just let your ears heal up and try again...and that acrylic gauges can harbor bacteria. And in order to not get infection...rinse with salt water.

I'm just worried that it will still get infected.

And how do you rinse the earlobe? Just dunk it into a container with salt water...?

Please help

[Rev.Reverence]

Get a small glass, put a heaping spoon full of SEA SALT & very warm water...use a Q-tip...

...alternately...you may stick your ear into a glass as you say.....

.....ever see these?

[Msterbeau]

Yup... paper cup like The Rev says... fill to brim and soak your ear lobes in it for five or ten minutes.

[Oh_My_Goth]

I just keep thinking what all y'all are going to look like when you are old w/ these big ol' droopy ears...

You kidz these dayz

[Rev.Reverence]

I just keep thinking what all y'all are going to look like when you are old w/ these big ol' droopy ears...

You kidz these dayz

Like:

[bean]

8g to 6g is a bit of a jump as is 4g to 2g and 2g to 0g. My second holes are a 2g and my third holes are a 6g. I don't plan on going any bigger with either of them.

I had the same problem with the bleeding. Wait for them to heal and try again, but don't use acrylic until they are healed because you risk the chance of infection. Use stainless steel or surgical steel.

Lube up the hole with antibacterial ointment (I used Bacitracin) before you slide in the bigger gauge, as it will help some because you're not going against dry skin.

I just washed mine with plain old soap and water and then applied a small amount of Bacitracin afterwards until they were healed. You don't want to use too much ointment though, because then it will be too moist and won't heal properly.

[Rev.Reverence]

8g to 6g is a bit of a jump as is 4g to 2g and 2g to 0g. My second holes are a 2g and my third holes are a 6g. I don't plan on going any bigger with either of them.

I had the same problem with the bleeding. Wait for them to heal and try again, but don't use acrylic until they are healed because you risk the chance of infection. Use stainless steel or surgical steel.

Lube up the hole with antibacterial ointment (I used Bacitracin) before you slide in the bigger gauge, as it will help some because you're not going against dry skin.

I just washed mine with plain old soap and water and then applied a small amount of Bacitracin afterwards until they were healed. You don't want to use too much ointment though, because then it will be too moist and won't heal properly.

This works just as well...but, it costs more

...& this reminded me...if you use TO MUCH salt, or use it to often, it'll dry your lobe out, & you'll wish you never did it (it itches horridly.)

[bean]

This works just as well...but, it costs more

...& this reminded me...if you use TO MUCH salt, or use it to often, it'll dry your lobe out, & you'll wish you never did it (it itches horridly.)

I have problems with dry skin, so that's why I use the ointment instead of the salt water. Salt water + dry skin = super dry skin.

[Rev.Reverence]

I have problems with dry skin, so that's why I use the ointment instead of the salt water. Salt water + dry skin = super dry skin.

It certainly will.

[Eevee]

Well, thank you for the advice! I'm sure it'll really help.

And to OMG, I will probably stop at a 6g.

[Oh_My_Goth]

Well, thank you for the advice! I'm sure it'll really help.

And to OMG, I will probably stop at a 6g.

Well that's not too bad

The big ol' one just weird Me out