What should I do about this fluid in my ear? Is this even the problem?

Yesterday, I got my cartilage pierced, and so before I went to bed, I cleaned the piercing with the antiseptic solution I was provided. However, I over-soaked the cotton ball, and while I was cleaning the hole, some excess solution got into my ear. I tried to absorb it by putting a dry cotton ball in, but I guess it didn't work. I woke up about 3 hours later with an excruciating ache in my ear and now I can't sleep. Is it the antiseptic that did this? Or is it from the drainage I've had lately? What should I do?