Piercing has become very common these days. Some people even get their ears pierced at birth. But did you know that tea tree oil can also cleanse and heal the ear canal?
Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as tea tree or native bay. The oil contains terpenes, which are natural compounds found in plants. These oils often treat skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Tea tree oil can cleanse and heal your ear canal. Apply a drop directly to the affected area twice daily until healed.
How long does it take for tea tree oil to work on the piercing bump?
Tea tree oil works fast but takes about 2 weeks to heal. To speed up the process, you should use a topical antibiotic ointment. You may also need to soak cotton balls with tea tree oil and place them inside the earlobe to help reduce inflammation.
How to dilute tea tree oil for piercing?
Diluting tea tree oil is easy. Just mix 1 part tea tree oil with 10 parts water. This mixture should be applied directly to the area where you want to apply the treatment. Tea tree oil is also available in liquid form, which is easier to use. However, if you prefer a lotion or cream, mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts carrier oil.
What side effects could I experience when using tea tree oil?
Although tea tree oil is considered safe, there have been reports of allergic reactions to this product. Therefore, test any oil on a small skin patch before applying it.
If you’re unsure whether your body will react negatively to the oil, consult your doctor before using it.
Infected ear piercing: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention
Ear infections are excruciating. When you feel pain in your ears, you probably already know something is wrong. Ear infections are most likely to occur during cold seasons.
Ear infection symptoms
The following are some of the most common signs of ear infections:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tingling sensation
- Fever
- Discharge
- Headache
- Difficulty hearing
Ear infection treatments
Ear infections are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria. In addition, there are other ways to relieve pain associated with ear infections. These include:
- Warm compresses
- Ice packs
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Analgesics
- OTC antihistamines
Ear infection prevention
You can reduce the chances of getting an ear infection by avoiding these things:
- Using cotton swabs. Cotton swabs spread bacteria around. Instead, use Q-tips to clean your ears.
- Not cleaning your ears properly. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before touching your ears. Also, make sure you rinse your ears well after swimming.
- Wearing headphones when sleeping. This increases the chance of catching ear infections because it keeps dirt trapped inside your ears.
- Sleeping on your side instead of your back. This position puts pressure on your ears.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, and toothbrushes.
- Do not sleep in dirty bedding.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Keep your home clean.
- Clean your ears regularly.
- Use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
- Put a few drops of essential oils into each ear canal.
- Lavender oil helps soothe inflammation.
Why is tea tree oil bad for piercings?
Tea tree oil is used to clean wounds and prevent infections. However, when applied to a piercing, it may cause irritation and swelling. If you want to use tea tree oil to treat a piercing, you should first consult a doctor.
Tea tree oil piercing infection?
If you have a piercing, you should know that infections are common. The best way to prevent them is to clean your piercing regularly. However, if you get an infection, you need to treat it immediately. A doctor can help you determine what kind of treatment you need.