So, I have my tragus pierced and I've got the red bubble on it. I've pretty much decided its a hypertrophic scar. However, there isn't very much information that I found on them. Definitely no pictures that look like the bump I have. When I had my nipples done I had the same issue only smaller. The piercer changed my bars and after a while the scar healed up completely. I'm considering having them change the ring in my ear as well. So, I was just wondering what exactly hypertrophic scars are. I use my H2Ocean every few days now (I've had the piercing since December). While I'm cleaning the bubble swells but them almost an hour later the swelling will go down some. But like today, for no obvious reason the "scar" is pretty large. Any tips?
yesterday I went and got the ring changed. I think I may be allergic to the metal. So, it feels better today however, getting it changed hurt worse than getting it pierced. I'm hoping for the best!
No, pain does NOT automatically mean it's infected. Is it a solid-feeling bump, or more like a blister? It might just be puss trapped in the skin, I've gotten those with a lot of my piercings and eventually they pop or go away. With puss, white/light yellow is normal. It's white blood cells, which are what fight off bacteria and such. If it's really yellow/greenish, it might be infected. If that's the case, do NOT take out an infected piercing. The skin heals over the infection, which traps it inside and causes and abcess that may need to be drained and treated. Keeping the jewelry in an infected piercing gives the infection somewhere to drain. If you think it's infected or anything, go to your piercer and have them check it (they would have told you if it was, if you've already been) and if it doesn't clear up, go to a doctor and get antibiotics or whatever they decide to take care of it.
Also, if you were told that it's hypertrophic scarring or keloiding or if you're pretty sure that it is, rubbing vitamin E oil on the scarring will help shrink it down some. Vitamin E breaks down/softens/lightens scar tissue.