I was told I needed to remove all metal jewelry before my surgery so I replaced my tragus piercing with a plastic one. I think the piercing got irritated and I developed a really red bump next to it. You think this could have any effect on my surgery?

Can you put some antibiotic cream on it? You might be able to call your surgeon's office today an talk with an attending surgeon so you can cancel if it's a problem in their eyes.

I am so tempted to call them now but it's almost 1:00 am here!! I already cleaned it and put some antibiotic. I really hope it isn't an issue!

I think you will be just fine. Also, take some warm water and salt in a small cup and submerge your piercing, this helps pull the infection out. Ointments aren't that great for piercings.

I tried the salt and water soaks before but they never worked. Maybe I was doing them wrong..

I tried the salt and Water soaks before but they never worked. Maybe I was doing them wrong..

Ointments stop the airflow... I would use salt/water until you can talk to your piercer.

My piercer.. I got it pierced in Paris. In Dubai, tattoo and piercing parlors are illegal. I'll try out the salt/water again though! Thanks for the advice and I really hope it doesn't change my surgery plans!

Unless you're running a fever, I don't think it will interfere with your surgery.