Ear cartilage piercing pain?

i just got my cartilage pierced a few weeks ago (with a gun) and when i first got it done, i hardly felt anything. just a little tingling and burning sensation. then one day when i hugged someone my earring got squooshed and the pain was excruciating! ever since the first time it got irritated it has been almost constantly in pain. it is red and swollen and is excruciating to the touch, especially on the back. sometimes i cant stand it because the pain is throbbing in my ear. i know that it will heal after a while but i need something to relieve the pain more, besides just taking painkillers cause i cant live on painkillers. Please help me!