Odd Case of Bleeding

[Qyro]

Hello,

I've slowly been stretching my ears since February, and I've currently been at 5mm for about 3 weeks. I haven't skipped any sizes, and I certainly haven't rushed it at all (about 2 months between 4mm - 5mm). However, while I was cleaning them this evening, I noticed my right ear lobe to be bleeding.

I've trawled the internet for answers, but there doesn't seem to be any regarding this particular problem. All the reasons are of stretching too quickly and/or skipping sizes, which I've made certain not to do. So here I am asking for assistance and hopefully an explanation so I can avoid it as I progress further on my journey of ear-stretching.

In the meantime, I've put my 5mm back in, but I'm not sure whether I should just leave it out completely and start from scratch (making me look very lopsided - my left ear seems perfectly fine), or to put in my 4mm instead, or what?

Thanks for your help!

[soundandfury]

down sizing might be advisable. After each occurance like this, down sizing is always some help of ear-stress relief. You should probably SSS *sea salt soak*. Do you use any type of lube? Sometimes the case is your ears drying up. mhm.

[Qyro]

Sea Salt Soaking is how I wash my ears.

[ViolentJayne]

perhaps its a reaction to the plug ? is it a new type of material you havent worn before ? also its possible that your ear just hadnt toughened up enough from the previous stretch ... even if the new taper and plug go in easy the continued pressure can still cause a blow out or small rip later in the day .. also are you sleeping with tapers they could have gotten josseled while you slept ...I would say downsize back to 4mm and wait a good 3 months before you try and even back up .. when I went from 6 ga to 4 ga one ear went fine in about 3 months the other took about 3 months and 3 weeks before it was ready .. so I was lopsided for a few weeks .. trust me no one will notice but you lol ...just give that ear plenty of time to not only heal but to become strong enough for the next stretch

[Qyro]

No, it's the same Material as all my previous Stretchers.

I'll go and put the 4mm back in. Thankfully the only difference between my 4mm's and my 5mm's are the size - exactly the same colour and pattern.

Thanks for the help!

[SusiMarie]

lopsided is fine, i was at 10mm in my right and 12mm in my left at one point because of a bad metal plug.

always downsize if you have any sort of issue. it seems to be the general consensus and it helps, i got rid of my blow out that i had from 4mm till 12mm by down sizing (due to the bad plug).