Try sleeping in a position that puts less pressure on your piercing, such as lying on your back or on your stomach. Pain level: 6/10. Chronic issues like eczema and acne are frustrating enough; you deserve a dermatologist who gets it. Last medically reviewed on April 16, 2020, If you haven't worn earrings in a while, you might be wondering if you need to re-pierce your ears. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. During the healing process, it is critical that the piercing is kept dry and away from bodies of water. Weve got answers to your questions about ear piercing, including where to get them done, how much it hurts, and what jewelry to choose. In the innermost part of your ear, between the tragus and lower part of the forward helix (which may help with migraines), a pressure point is located, which prevents irritation during sleep. Infected ear piercing: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention 2023 Healthline Media LLC. A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to fully heal. While your piercing heals, you can help minimize discomfort by sleeping on your back instead of your side. Because it can reduce any bleeding or swelling that may occur in the first few days after your piercing, you should follow your piercers aftercare instructions. Some people who dont regularly sleep on their back, but have to because of their ear piercings prefer to put it behind their neck, for a conforming sleep experience. You can also try a u-shaped travel pillow you can angle it around your neck to suit yourself. After getting your ears pierced, its not recommended to sleep on the side. If you must remove the piercing, make sure to re-insert the jewelry or use a silicone filler to keep the hole open. Copyright 2023 Terry Cralle | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Terry Cralle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Worlds Best Feather Soft Microfiber Pillow. This will help your ears to stick-out a little and you can sleep comfortably. Sleeping can cause a lot of irritation and irritation can lead to infection, so its important to take precautions to prevent this. One of the few piercings that can be pierced with a ring rather than a stud is the dachshund piercing. The wounds will bleed profusely for the first few nights. Everyone is different for some they may be able to sleep on the piercings the same day. Its always good to use several so that you can change them when its necessary, usually every few days. How to Reduce Pain Caused by a New Piercing: 21 Expert Tips - WikiHow Need more information about body piercing cleaners? Some people may be able to sleep on their side comfortably after a few days, while others may need to wait a week or longer. Its a good idea to clean the piercing every day with mild soap water to speed things up. Wearing the same earrings for a long time without cleaning the piercing can cause bacteria to become trapped. If you want to keep your piercing their best try not to sleep on them at all. Because earrings can become damaged when they come into contact with liquid, removing them before showering can help keep them in place. This will help keep your piercings clean and will also prevent you from accidentally scratching or bumping them during the night. Keep the piercing clean and free from infection, keep your bedding clean and do not try to sleep on the new piercing before it is completely healed. Remember to tighten your piercing before bed so it does not come out and start to heal over during the night. Are your earrings or body piercings causing a nickel allergy? If your earrings are new and you recently got your ears pierced, itd be good to wear a silicone plug under the metal plug that normally comes with your earrings. Types of Jewelry Pieces 7. The good news is that you can sleep on your side after ear piercing, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Your ear has layers of skin, and then under that in the earlobes theres just fat, and in the upper ear theres just cartilage, so youre piercing through that tissue, Michele Farber, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia and clinical assistant in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, tells SELF. Don't Play With it Excessively. Particularly, a lot of people get their helix pierced and are concerned about whether they can sleep with it or not. As the healing process takes its course, there are numerous ways to help you sleep more comfortably. If you have recently had your ear pierced, keeping pressure off your ear with a thinner travel pillow is an excellent option. With a little bit of planning, you can sleep on your side with a new piercing without any problems. It can prevent the redness and swelling from going away as theyre constantly under the pressure. Studs may not pose as much risk as other types of earrings, but its still possible that hair, clothing, and fabrics from your bedding could wrap around these earrings and cause issues. It is also important to wash your hands before and after piercings to prevent possible infection. TONITOWN, Ark. It will numb the area while helping to heal as you sleep. 10. Since you must leave studs in if you have new ear piercings, you can try sleeping on your back instead to help ease your headaches. Earrings used for new piercings will include one of these hypoallergenic materials, so you wont have to worry about an overnight nickel reaction when you first get your ears pierced. Just know that over time when the piercings heal you will be able to sleep on them. In general, its best to avoid sleeping on your stomach or back for the first few weeks after getting your ears pierced. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Explore La Quintas Pillows For The Perfect Night Of Sleep, Should You Sleep With Two Pillows? Editors notes: If youre scared of not being able to sleep without sleeping on the affected side, you should try practicing sleep in the opposite position for a few days or even a week before you get your piercing. Wash your hands before touching the piercing and then dip a cotton swab in sterile saline or piercing care solution. You can now remove the first set of earrings and replace them if you so desire. We know the feeling. Silicone plugs are a great investment if your ear is swollen and the golden or steel plugs feel too firm and are scratching your ear or neck. Use Silicone Plugs The sharp earrings may be a cause for your discomfort in sleep. 7. For an earlobe piercing, most of the healing takes place within six weeks, at which time the starter earring can be changed out to another nickel-free piece of jewelry, Sarah Lacy, RN, senior manager of piercing research and innovation at the piercing studio Rowan, tells SELF. Piercings are popular, especially among adolescents and young adults. Youll also want to avoid twisting and playing with the jewelry to reduce your risk of irritation and infection. New piercings are made with professional-grade materials that are hypoallergenic, so you can safely leave them in for several weeks as the piercing heals. Infections Wearing the same earrings for a long time. Furthermore, the piercing may cause the area to feel hot and pulsating, as well as gooey stuff. How To Sleep With A New Piercing - All You Need To Know - Tip Top Sleep Infected Ear Piercing: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention - Cleveland Clinic I was so excited that I couldnt stop thinking about it, which made it hard to fall asleep. Usually, its safe to sleep after 3 to 4 months. Absolutely! As a part of Amazon Affiliate for every qualifying purchase, we make some money. Our posts may contain affiliate links and we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to the buyer for products purchased through the links on our site or other applicable pages. If any of these symptoms appear, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid further infections. TipTopSleep.com is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. How to Fix Ripped Earlobes or Stretched Ear Piercings, 5 Types of Belly Button Infections You Can Get, Getting a Nipple Piercing Can Make You Feel Powerful. 1. New piercings can also be difficult to sleep in, especially for side sleepers. This article will provide you with some tips and tricks on how to protect your ear piercings when sleeping. If a new piercing is infected, it is best not to remove it. Not only that, but you may also become infected with an infection caused by your pillowcase. 1. What Are Cartilage Piercings? Function, What They Mean, and More - WebMD Thats why at no cost, you should take your piercing off during the first few months after piercing it. The Sleeper Earpiece is designed for people who have had their ears pierced for the first time. [2] 3 Use a saline cleaning solution as an alternative to soap and water. If you are an active sleeper and move a lot while sleeping, you should use silicon backings to avoid losing earrings at night. As you wait to see your doctor, keep the piercing area clean and covered with a cotton pad adhered with paper medical tape from your first aid kit or local pharmacy because you dont want additional dirt or bacteria to get in the piercing and cause further irritation, Dr. Gohara advises. If you wake up with any of the following symptoms after sleeping with earrings, consult a doctor. Try to avoid wearing any accessories or headpieces that could rub against your ears and irritate the new piercings. Healing times and best sleep positions for piercings are outlined above. You should call your primary care doctor or dermatologist if you have any of those symptoms. However, it is critical to remember that they are still very young and have no understanding of pain in the same way that adults do. Piercings: How to prevent complications Piercings might be more common than ever, but don't take piercing lightly.