Redness that spreads or gets worse
Swelling around the piercing
Warmth at the piercing site
Increasing pain or tenderness
Yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge
Pus coming from the hole
Crusting with thick discharge
Skin that looks very irritated or inflamed
Bleeding that keeps happening
Fever or chills
Swollen lymph nodes near the ear or neck
The earring feels stuck or the skin is growing over it
Symptoms that worsen instead of improving after a few days