I started stretching my ear piercing a few months ago now. A couple of weeks ago I went from a 6mm to a 8mm stretch. I ended up having to take the stretcher out the next day because it was swollen, painful and had got infected. I let my ear shrink back to a hole of about 1mm. I managed to clear the infection up after about a week using sea salt soaks and tea tree oil. However, I have noticed that around the site of the piercing now, a hard ring, lump has developed, especially around the lower half of the piercing. You wouldn't be able to notice the lump by eye but it is obvious it is there when you push the piercing a little. I need to know if this will go away and what I can to to treat this. It doesn't hurt at all and I'm not in any pain but I am worried about it still. Thank you.