Axon:

The balls on one barbell look enormous, that could have contributed to the stress on the piercing.

I would speak with a dermatologist if a visit to a piercer doesn't help improve the situation as I notice that you're having a bit of the same issue in your helix region. Cortisone injections may be necessary to help reduce the scarring. 

Would it be best to visit the piercer and get the barbells changed out first, or go to a dermatologist?  I have a feeling it would hurt a ton to get my left piercing switched out... with my ear the way it is.

it could be a cyst (pimple under the skin) i get them a lot near my holes in my ears i stuck a needle it one once and a lot of fluid came out it was really gross but if it really starts to bother you you can go to the doctors and get them drained. the doctor also recommended that i put a hot compress on it and its supposed to bring it to a head so you can pop it. might be something else though

greyskykaleidoscope:

Axon:

The balls on one barbell look enormous, that could have contributed to the stress on the piercing.

I would speak with a dermatologist if a visit to a piercer doesn't help improve the situation as I notice that you're having a bit of the same issue in your helix region. Cortisone injections may be necessary to help reduce the scarring. 

 

Would it be best to visit the piercer and get the barbells changed out first, or go to a dermatologist?  I have a feeling it would hurt a ton to get my left piercing switched out... with my ear the way it is.

I think that's a personal call. My rooks were healed when I had my last jewelry change and it was a very taxing process.

Do you by any chance have a nickel allergy or sensitivity? 

Axon:

I think that's a personal call. My rooks were healed when I had my last jewelry change and it was a very taxing process.

Do you by any chance have a nickel allergy or sensitivity? 

Yeah, I can't wear nickel at all, and any plated jewelry doesn't work so well either for my piercings.

If your piercer installed low quality steel in your ear it could be one of the contributing issues in this situation. Most low quality steel contains a considerable percentage of nickel.

I'd switch to titanium or niobium like other people have suggested.

rege :

the doctor also recommended that i put a hot compress on it and its supposed to bring it to a head so you can pop it. might be something else though

If you do chamomile compresses or sea salt soaks this helps as well. The heat from them is very soothing and helps bring all that nasty crap to the surface. 

 Well, we'll see how it goes. My boyfriend is picking me up some chamomile tea on his way from work (I drink lots of green tea, but no chamomile), and I'll try that.  I'll continue my sea salt soaks and the cleaning.  No playing with the piercings at all.  If the swelling/funky things on my ears/pain goes down a bit, I'll just do that until I go get new barbells from the piercer.  If nothing works, however, I'll look up a dermatologist here.

 Wish me luck.  I'll most likely post a couple updates.

Jess:

If you're willing to make the drive there are 3 great piercers/shops in the Peoria, Illinois area. Chris Davis at Dream Illustrations in Chillocothe, Bryan Thomas at Mojo Studios in Peoria and George McAvin at American Inkwell in Pekin are all experienced, personable folks.

Unfortunately, I'm lacking in transportation at the moment.  My car is at home (3.5 hours north).  But, there is a really good piercer here, according to a bunch of students I've talked to.  But, if that doesn't work, I'll definitely try to get to one of those piercers.

 Thanks!