#cloudologist

ah yes the hotwater bit makes sense, that’s when i clean them and it is getting cold here. thanks so much!

I'm not a body piercer, but I can share my own experience to help.

Your earlobes could just be dry, especially if you live in an area where it's starting to get pretty cold out! Try massaging them with Vitamin E oil, Jojoba oil, or Emu oil (although it is expensive, non-vegan, and smells weird haha) after cleaning and/or before bed to help keep them moisturized. Vitamin E oil can be found online or in any drugstore.

To prevent dryness in the future, try to clean with less-drying cool water. Doesn't have to be cold, but hot/warm water will dry your skin; you might notice this with the skin on your body after a hot shower. As the water evaporates from your skin, it pulls extra moisture that would naturally remain to keep your skin in good shape along with it. This can cause itchiness and dryness.

Organics like wood/horn and flexible materials like silicone can be drying for ears, too. I know glass and metal can be kind of cold on the ears in the winter, so just be careful to keep your ears happy, clean, and moisturized.

I'm sure you don't do this, but it's also worth mentioning for others who are reading this to never, ever clean with alcohol/peroxide or use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on them.