Earstretching.net

So. I sat down to start my first stretch yesterday with a nice white 2mm spiral. Took a long while but I got it going and what I -thought- was far enough in it shouldn't come out. Then this evening I was hugging a toddler, it got caught on his shirt and pulled out. The earlobe is still intact- no ripping or anything, just sore, a little swollen and some bleeding which stopped very quickly. I gave it a bloody good clean, so should be much better by morning. I was just wondering, am I going to be able to start again? Was thinking in a couple of days just putting in a normal earring to keep the hole open. Or have I totally scuppered myself? Has anyone else had this happen?

So so frustrated...

First of all, you're missing a couple sizes. If you're starting from a "normal" earring it's probably only 0.8mm or 1mm. You should start at 18G (1mm) or at least 16G (1.2mm). Also, wearing spirals isn't the best thing for newly-stretched ears because they can move around too much, and the curved shape can put pressure on certain parts of your lobe.
If I were you I would downsize to where you were before and start caring for your ears with sea salt soaks (mix no more than 1/4 teaspoon non-iodized sea salt per one cup hot water and soap for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day). Then when they're healed up you can stretch again, going one size at a time.

Luckily I was on the ball with the salt water bathing, it's how I have cared for all my piercings in the past. But I am glad to knwo i can downsize. I was told that was the smallest size they stocked so I will go to another piercers and get a better starter piece of jewellery. I'm just hoping my original hole won't close. Going to have to grin and bare it when I put a surgical stud back in in a couple of days to keep it open :S