Earstretching.net

I started stretching about 5-6 years ago and have been at 12mm (1/2") for about 2 years now. Over the last few months my earlobes have just been irritated to shit. They've been randomly swelling, smelling (worse than usual) and bleeding (not much, just enough to make the crusty stuff I clean off red) and occasionally oozing (gross, I know).

I've always taken pretty good care of them. I take them out every time I shower and wash my ears with antibacterial soap and clean/wipe down my plugs before putting them back in so I know it's not a germ thing.

I thought maybe I was developing a sensitivity to the material (stainless steel) so I bought two new pairs of plugs, one acrylic and the other stone, and my lobes haven't gotten any better.

I'm at a loss here and I really don't want to downsize. Does anyone have any idea as to why this is happening?

Mmmmmmmm... Try going up a size to make you're lobes want to heal? Idk I know my idea sounds stupid as shit but that's a weird problem lol

Try a better material like glass or titanium. Stone and acrylic are both bad for irritated lobes. Also, try using clear o-rings instead of black... o-rings have been irritating my ears lately.

I posted this on Reddit as well and they also suggested glass. Next time I get some extra money I'll order a pair and hopefully my lobes will stop being so irritated.

Until then, I'm going to try sea salt soaks and vitamin E.

I don't really know much but I was wearing the 316l single flare tunnels with o ring in back. All of a sudden they were red, oozing and some blood. I did some mad googling and switched to pyrex spirals and silicone o rings and my ears were perfect in a couple days. (I did go down a size also) no problems ever since. Im going to try the steel again (but afraid) but for now I ordered glass tunnels and plugs.