piercing trouble :S *help*

[babii.blu.eyes.]

ok. i have had quite a few piercings and only my belly grew out. while my nose had to be taken out from infection. the rest have been no trouble at all.
i have had several in the top of my ear but removed most of them for school or just because i was changing and didnt want them anymore.
HOWEVER.
i recently got an industrial bar in my right ear.and for the first time EVER it is swelling. hurting. and the whole area is bruised. its a black bruise around both points of entry and exit of the bar. its quite tender and i have a lot of trouble washing it. im not quite sure what to do.
going back to where i got it done is out of the question because i wont be able to get back into the city for quite a while now that school is going back.
i would appreciate any advice. please.
xoxo.
anna.

[Ash*]

How long have you had it for? Have you banged it against anything?

I'm not a pro with things like this, but I know there are a few people around here who have a LOT of fabulous information on piercings and stuff.
Try pming Jane (the.devil), I'm sure she wouldn't mind answering any questions you have.

I hope it gets better soon!

[Sans Peur]

industrials are known to be very difficult to heal, how old is it? they can take up to a year to fully heal and they can still have moments when they get painful.

what aftercare are you doing? hot compresses and warm salt soaks will calm the piercing down.

have you banged it at all? try your best to not sleep on it until it calms down.

[UnfoldingxWings]

I agree with the.devil, you should try the warm compresses and sea salt soaks, and if you banged it around it may have caused it too.

And yeah how long have you had the piercing? If you just got it within the past couple weeks it could possibly have an infection or something.

And going back to the place you had it done may be out of the question because you can't get to it, but is there a place nearer to you that could take a look at it? If there isn't just try going to the doctor, even though they aren't piercers they're still good (hopefully) at helping you when you have a problem with a piercing!

Also, sometimes initially piercing industrials with bars can make healing difficult and make it easier to cause trauma to the piercings. Thats why some places don't put bars in initially. Just a thought.

[babii.blu.eyes.]

thanks everyone for you help. i will try the suggestions made.
yeah. it is still quite a new piercings. not even a week old :S but i tend to worry about my piercings :S.
anyway. thanks heaps.
xoxo.
anna.