Increasing redness around the piercing
Swelling that gets worse instead of better
Warmth or heat around the area
Pain that is worsening or throbbing
Yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge
Thick pus coming from the piercing
Crusting with pus-like fluid
Bleeding that continues or returns
Skin around the piercing feeling hard or very tender
The earring becoming difficult to move because of swelling
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes near the ear, neck, or jaw
Redness spreading beyond the piercing site
The piercing site looking unusually shiny or stretched
A bump that is growing and painful
Symptoms that do not improve after a few days of proper care