Hard skin around cartilage piercing?

I recently had my cartilage pierced, and the skin around the piercing and where my ear connects to my head (I don't know what that is called) is kind of hard. It is quite odd. I had the same thing happen when I previously had my cartilage pierced, so I know that it has to do with the piercing. Why is it that this is happening? And what is it? And how could I get rid of it?
Thanks for any help
eace:
I'm thinking it could be because I'm not washing off the soap well enough when i clean it...

 

Go talk to your piercer.

 

I agree..Go talk to your piercer. Are you doing sea salt soaks several times a day??