When crusts appear in the ear piercing, they should not be forcibly picked off, as this may cause damage to the skin of the ear canal and even secondary inflammation or swelling. Crusting in the ear cavity is often associated with inflammatory diseases of the external and middle ear, as well as eczema of the external ear canal skin. Patients can use tools such as a suction device to clean out the mucopurulent secretions that can be cleared from the ear cavity. For localized crusts, hydrogen peroxide can be used to soften and dilute them, if necessary, before further cleaning and removal. If the patient has a bloody crust in the ear cavity, generally do not try to remove it forcibly; in most cases, the crust can gradually fall off on its own.