How do you reduce swelling in your ear after an ear piercing?

I've had my cartilage pierced once and recently got my industrial pierced, so I know about cartilage piercings. First of all, swelling is normal in any piercing, whether it's your cartilage, tongue, or bellybutton, or anything else. That's why the piercer will usually give you longer jewelry initially than you would normally wear in the piercing. After a certain period of time you'll be able to change out the jewelry and wear jewelry with shorter posts. Cartilage piercings tend to hurt worse than other piercings, at least initially, so the pain is normal as well. You need to make sure that you're taking care of the piercing though, and if it's possible try not to touch it at all (including keeping your hair away from it). You'll also notice over the next few weeks as it continues to heal that there will be some clear, white or yellow discharge (not pus). This is also normal, it's just a part of the healing process. Just make sure to clean it well and you should be fine.

This never happened when I got my ears pierced, but it did happen later on like months later. I think yours might be an infection. That's what mine was and I can describe exactly like you just did. I would ask your doctor, mine gave me good medication and I just had to clean the hole at the piercing every day with a special liquid. And an ice pack on it always helped to slow and lessen the swelling. I hope I helped! :)

Its irritated and may be infected. it's important to clean it with antiseptics, then you can use ice for the swelling (the ice restricts blood vessels to decrease blood flow)

This never happened when I got my ears pierced, but it did happen later on like months later. I think yours might be an infection. That's what mine was and I can describe exactly like you just did. I would ask your doctor, mine gave me good medication and I just had to clean the hole at the piercing every day with a special liquid. And an ice pack on it always helped to slow and lessen the swelling. I hope I helped! :)

Its irritated and may be infected. it's important to clean it with antiseptics, then you can use ice for the swelling (the ice restricts blood vessels to decrease blood flow)