Houston, we (may) have a problem...

[Big Chicken]

Hello all,

ok, would be grateful for your advice/thoughts on my latest stretching related saga...

Above my right lobe, I have little area which is a bit sore. It's not mega painful. It does look a bit odd though. It's like the surface layer of skin has pulled back a bit.

Here's a pic.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/earprob.jpg/

Kinda thinking of downsizing but really don't want to. If I 'ride' this out, is this something that will clear up? It doesnt look/feel like a blow out or anything (to me).

What do you guys think??

Cheers

[Big Chicken]

I should point out also that I am putting a little bit of downward pressure on my tunnel just so it's a bit clearer. When the o-ring is on and stuff you can't really see it too much...

[corazon_de_oro]

It does look sore. How fast have you been stretching?

[Big Chicken]

About 1mm per 4 weeks. Tried to be really careful

[corazon_de_oro]

Is stretching ever painful? Are you forcing the next size in? You're going just a little bit too fast. 6-8 weeks is a better length of time to wait, and even then you have to be careful and make sure your ears are ready.
How long has that ear been pierced? Did you skip any small sizes?

[Big Chicken]

No, the tapers and plugs go in really easily. No pain that I can remember.

That ear was pierced at 3mm in march. I did my first stretch to 4mm in august. The current plug, 6mm, is still a little tight. I dont force it in but it doesn't go in that easily either.
I haven't skipped any sizes at all.
I wasn't gonna stretch again for a while but not sure what i should do for now really.

[ast.riske]

It looks like a tear to me. It may have been stressed overnight, especially since you said your plugs feel a bit tight. Another possible cause could be I the edge of your tunnel caught your lobe and scratched it while going in.

If you ever have any inclination to downsize, you probably should. It takes the pressure off the skin, making healing faster and easier. Also, downsized fistulas seem to restretch easier. I'd say follow your gut. Erring on the side of caution hasn't hurt anything as far as I know. : )

[Big Chicken]

Well, I've still got the 6mm plug in. It has got a bit easier to get in and out this morning. I gave my lobes a bit of a massage with some palmers cocoa butter this morning before putting them in and that seems to have helped. It still looks like the photo, just less red. Was going to downsize, even went as far as getting my 5mm tunnel out and cleaning it etc but might see how things are at the end of today. Fingers crossed it will be ok...

Def. gonna wait a while before doing any more stretching though!

[corazon_de_oro]

If you have a sore/irritated lobe you shouldn't be rubbing anything on it; massages are meant for healed lobes. I'd suggest some sea salt soaks.

[Big Chicken]

D'oh. Ok, thanks

Will try that...