How to identify an ear piercing infection?

I think I have an ear piercing infection, what to do?

• Since it was my 6th week, I got a little lazy and began only cleaning my ears with the solution I got once a day. Now, as to be expected, I guess, I have an ear infection. At least I'm pretty sure it's one. It's not particular red, but it does itch and hurt when I touched it. Also when I cleaned my ear a few minutes ago with a q-tip, I noticed blood on the q-tip. D: What should I do? It's a bit painful, but not anything I can't handle. I can't do a sea salt soak, because although I have sea salt at hand, I have no idea if it has iodine in it or not, and I've heard iodine is very bad for your ears. What should I do? Take out the earring? D: And it's just an earlobe piercing, so not a cartilage piercing or anything. Thanks. Oh, and will it hurt if I take it out?

• Answer:

  I don't think it's infected, at least not very bad yet. If it was badly infected it would be oozing pus and greenish. Keep cleaning it every day as you're supposed to(don't be lazy :P) and don't leave the earrings out for too long, or else it will close up. A few times a day, twist the earrings around while they are in to make sure they don't seal uup. This might hurt a little the first few times, but not too bad and you will get used to it.