Earstretching.net

I stretched from 4g to 2g about a month ago and it went well. I waited about 7 weeks (most places said to wait 6 weeks before stretching to a 2). I used the taping method for about 2 weeks - until I felt that the taper would go in easier because I knew this would be a hard stretch. I went in without problems, I followed through with my stainless steel plugs, and I did the proper aftercare (SSS, Vit e oil, daily cleanings) and everything seemed fine.

But today suddenly my left ear was swollen 3x its size and really sore. There was pus and a small amount of blood. Immediately I soaked it in sea salt and downsized back to a 4g. I sleep on my left side if that has affected it?

Does anybody have any ideas how this happened and how to prevent it? And anything else I can do to help heal it??

It's probably not an infection, so don't worry too much. I had something similar happen to me when I stretched to 0G.. I changed my plugs before they were ready and a pair of stainless steel tunnels cut my ear on the way in or something, so it got very swollen. For me, the swelling didn't even start to go down until I downsized. I went down two sizes and I could feel the relief immediately. I also took ibuprofen and iced my ear for a couple days.

I can't say with 100% confidence that you don't have an infection, but it's very unlikely. Infections are very rare even in brand new piercings. If the swelling doesn't go down with downsizing, maybe see a doctor for some antibiotics. Just make sure you don't take them out, even if the doctor tells you to. That can trap the infection and form an abscess.

Thanks! The swelling has gone down a little after downsizing but it isn't sore anymore. I guess I was just shocked that this happened a month after stretching, without anything seeming to cause it.

Downsizing is such a pain!