How do I get rid of bumps next to cartilage piercings?

Answer 1

Well getting rid of the bumps involves understanding how they got there in the first place. If the piercing was done with a piercing gun, then there's your culprit. See ear cartilage piercings done with a piercing gun (which they are not supposed to do but they do it any way) damages the fine tissue* (*perichondrium ) between the cartilage and the back skin of the ear cartilage, this tearing action pulls the layer away from the cartilage and thus the lump is formed.

Often referred to as Cauliflower Ear, this is the damage done to the ear cartilage when boxers would not wear protective head gear and the gloves would contact the ear cartilage skin tearing it free from the cartilage damaging the perichondrium in the process.

Removing ear studs and replacing the studs with captive bead rings and irrigating the piercings daily during showering has allowed the tissue to settle and in some cases reattach to the cartilage, this can take several weeks to notice a marked change in the lumps.

Another cause for lumps on ear cartilage is a process call a "Hypertrophic Reaction". This is where a irritant is introduced into the piercing causing the tissue to swell up and form a lump next to the piercing. Generally due to over use of a cleaning produce used to clean the piercing, the over use causes this reaction to occur. Simple flushing of the piercing with warm running water daily during showering while moving the jewellery has been very successful in removing the irritant and the bumps diminishing in size over several weeks.