Hello! I'm new to stretching. I used to do it when I was a kid but it was from 18g to 14g. I just jabbed an earring in my lobe, it felt a little warm, and then a few weeks later it was all good.

Sorry to ask, but I searched the board and couldn't find an answer to this specific scenario.

Stretching from 14g to 12g (used a tapered claw/earrings). After a little over a week, my right lobe got swollen (my left lobe seemed fine, just a tiny bit tender), and took the claw out I had out. It oozed a little, and I cleaned it and smothered it with Neosporin. Now it's a little red and swelling has slightly reduced (not near as bad as before). It's been about 2 hours since I took out the claws.

I'm assuming that I'll need to downsize. Questions:

1. Should I wait a day or two and put my 14g SS Spirals back in and wait a few months before trying to stretch to 12g again?
2. What's the minimum time I should wait before re-stretching to 12g?
3. Should I stretch the "right" way: with a taper and put plugs in?

Thanks for your help! I just don't want to mess it up again.

 i would suggest putting your old jewelry back in immediately, and probably give your ears about 6 months before trying to stretch back up to 12g.

 oh, i was wondering, did you use any lube while stretching?  i found that using a little bit of antibacterial soap and water on a taper made stretching very quick and painless without any irritation.  just be sure to rinse it out really well afterward.

How long have you had your ears pierced for? Stop the Neosporin!  Even though it is for healing, it says not for punctured wounds, this includes piercings. I'd put in your 14 gauge spirals in if you have nothing smaller than that. Do SSS(sea salt soaks) about twice a day. Its about 1/4th teaspoon to a cup of warm water (the ratio changes, but thats what I use). Try to wait a minimum of a few months before stretching up. You do not need to use a taper, especially at such a small size, although this is up to you. Its best to stretch right after you come out of the shower so your lobes are nice and warm and have good circulation, then lube up the spiral you have or any other jewelery you want in, and slip them in, the slight pressure/ burning is pretty normal, although there should not be any real pain, blood or require you to push the plug in with force. 

Good luck! =)  

enigma:

 i would suggest putting your old jewelry back in immediately, and probably give your ears about 6 months before trying to stretch back up to 12g.

 oh, i was wondering, did you use any lube while stretching?  i found that using a little bit of antibacterial soap and water on a taper made stretching very quick and painless without any irritation.  just be sure to rinse it out really well afterward.

Per your advice, I've put some 14g SS claws back in. They're not as dainty as my spirals so my lobes can breath a little. 

No lube. Wow... I was really bad when I did the stretch thinking that it would not be any problem. I just jabbed the claw in like a regular pair of earrings. I felt a little throbbing, but didn't really think much of it since I've felt that same pain going from 18g to 16g before. I didn't know it was going to be like this. I think I have a bad ear... my right ear seems to be a little more finicky than my left ear. I'll keep the soap and water trick for next time. I might even just use jojoba oil for my bad ear.

Music.and.holes:

How long have you had your ears pierced for? Stop the Neosporin!  Even though it is for healing, it says not for punctured wounds, this includes piercings. I'd put in your 14 gauge spirals in if you have nothing smaller than that. Do SSS(sea salt soaks) about twice a day. Its about 1/4th teaspoon to a cup of warm water (the ratio changes, but thats what I use). Try to wait a minimum of a few months before stretching up. You do not need to use a taper, especially at such a small size, although this is up to you. Its best to stretch right after you come out of the shower so your lobes are nice and warm and have good circulation, then lube up the spiral you have or any other jewelery you want in, and slip them in, the slight pressure/ burning is pretty normal, although there should not be any real pain, blood or require you to push the plug in with force. 

Good luck! =)  

I've had my ears pierced for almost 20 years. I started with the gun (they were 20g or 18g... it was the 80s). What was weird is that I went from 20g to 18g with no problems, 18g to 16g was a little painful but I got over it within a day, 16g to 14g with no problems (bought the 14g spirals at the mall and stuck them right in). When I put in the 12g this time, the feeling felt like when I went from 18g to 16g with some throbbing. I didn't think much of it until the right lobe swelled up a week later. Not sure why the 14g to 12g was so wonky. I'll do SSS 2x a day and move along with the 12g in a few months.

 I'm so bummed it didn't work out because I have some Little 7 Preistess coming on the 6th . I guess good things come to those that wait.

Thanks enigma and music.and.holes! I really appreciate your help!

You should put something a bit more light weight in. Small plugs or something, the weight of claws could irritate your ear in the state it is in. Also stretching with claws, spirals ect isnt a good idea, they add extra weight to the stretch, which could cause more trauma...

Thanks BBE. I'll get some plugs along with a taper (while I'm at it). Now the hardest part is the wait :(

 Thank you everyone for your help!

 A healed piercing that has an abrasion on the surface is not a puncture wound. A fresh piercing is a puncture wound. However, neosporin still isn't the greatest; petroleum oil isn't really a good thing to slather on your skin as it does not allow the skin to breathe.

bluebananaeater:

You should put something a bit more light weight in. Small plugs or something, the weight of claws could irritate your ear in the state it is in. Also stretching with claws, spirals ect isnt a good idea, they add extra weight to the stretch, which could cause more trauma...

Not to mention sleeping in them. If you're doing that then cut it out, you're asking for tears and blowouts. Fancy hanging designs are meant for short-term wear only - you should have simple sf plugs with an appropriate wearable for everyday wear and sleeping.

splatterhouse:

Not to mention sleeping in them. If you're doing that then cut it out, you're asking for tears and blowouts. Fancy hanging designs are meant for short-term wear only - you should have simple sf plugs with an appropriate wearable for everyday wear and sleeping.

 *kicks dirt* my ears probably hate me.

 They might, but if you clean up your act I'm sure they'll forgive you. :P

 One more question: how long should I do the SSS? Until the swelling/pain goes away?

 Update: It's a posted yesterday I've done 1 SSS and swelling has gone WAY down. Thanks for your help everyone :)

 i think the main problem was not using lube! You def need lube for making stretching easier, and a hell of a lot more safe! 

vbhtml:

 One more question: how long should I do the SSS? Until the swelling/pain goes away?

 Update: It's a posted yesterday I've done 1 SSS and swelling has gone WAY down. Thanks for your help everyone :)

I typically sss for 5-10 minutes. Glad your ears are feeling better and that you are going to be taking better care of them, I'm sure they'll forgive you eventually. I know I started out stretching stupidly, thankfully I only made it to 12g before I found baf too ^^;

kwaniesiam:

I typically sss for 5-10 minutes. Glad your ears are feeling better and that you are going to be taking better care of them, I'm sure they'll forgive you eventually. I know I started out stretching stupidly, thankfully I only made it to 12g before I found baf too ^^;

I'm definitely glad I found this place! So how many days do I need to do the SSS soak for? It's kinda messy and water gets all over the place when I try to submerge my ear into a little shot glass 'o salt water. Maybe do it daily for a week or so?

Try a bowl... Lay on the floor with a towel rolled under your neck... its weird but it works for the ear, a lot better than a shot glass imo... I use shot glasses for things I can press them up against, but ears, not so much...