how can I tell if my gauges are swollen?

If you tapered it then it shouldn’t be infected. I’ve done the same thing you have just not as big. You should gauge your ears one size at a time, no matter how tempting it is to just do it.

Rubbing alcohol is horrid to use. Yes it cleans it but it also kills any new cells. It shouldn’t be infected but I would use some hydrogen peroxide, it will clean it and reduce any chances of your getting a blow out (keloid).

Your ear will be red, and it will puss, but that’s just because it’s healing, you basically ripped a hole in your ear, so you should treat it as you would for any normal new piercing.

Continue using the sea salt and anti bacterial soap, more it around just not a lot, and apply some hydrogen peroxide to it with slight pressure. Just keep doing that 2-3times a day, and your ear should be back to normal within 1-2weeks.

Keep an eye on the colour of the puss though. If it’s clear or yellowish then it’s just healing, but if it turns to a greenish colour then thats a sign of infection.

Good luck. =]

Just being red and swollen DOES NOT mean its infected it could jsut me crazy irritated. dont use alchole wipes, as said above it kills new cells, do what youve been doing, clean it a lot AT LEAST 3 times a day more if possible if nothing changes in a week either take it out or go see a perfessional piercer about it, ask them their proffesional thoughts on it, est.

good luck

if it’s red…it’s infected…if it’s apricot (like…normal caucasian skin color)..then you should be good…try some tea tree oil…

If its infected it will stay like fire red and get puss. Put sum rubbing alcohol on it daily to prevent that. If it dont get betting in 3-5 days and is still sore id take it out let it heal and slowly gauge it. Good luck and happy new year. Rate if it helped a bit