I dreaded my hair last Monday and it's looking kind of insane right now.  Hopefully my half-assed backcombing will end up looking nice.

I finally have dreadlocks!  I'm so happy, despite the fact that I currently look like Sideshow Bob.  I can't wait for them to mature.

 A second lobe piercing at 8g or so would look nice, I think.

From what I've heard, scalpelling really isn't that painful.  I've heard some people compare it to a sharp paper cut.

 Congrats. :3

[quote user="sundaisy"] To the OP - glad your piercing's fine now! :) [/quote]  Thanks. :D I feel foolish for freaking out, but I'm happy that I don't have anything to worry about.

 I did not go to a doctor because my piercing returned to normal a few hours after I thought it to be infected.  The swelling has completely gone down; it is not red, sore, hot, or secreting any fluids.  I am still doing SSSs as a precaution, but I think it was irritated because I took a bath the day I thought it was infected.  I will supply ...

 When I woke up this morning, the piercing was no longer red, hot, sore, and the swelling had gone down.  Unfortunately, the doctor's office is not open until Monday but I will continue SSSs until then.  I'm wondering if the liquid and blood was from the pressure on the hypertrophic scarring on the back of my ear.

 Thank you guys so much for your help!  I really appreciate it.

 Thanks.  It really pisses me off because I've been extremely careful with them.  How many SSSs should I do per day until I can see a doctor?