Are my gauges infected?

i began gauging my ears on new years, and put in the 18s..it went very smoothly, and didnt hurt. my only problem is i got in the habit if picking off the crusty stuff on the back of my ear all the time, and i thought it could be infected. then i put in the 16s(they might be 14s, but im not sure), with a little more struggle...it didnt go in the hole, even though i was pushing somewhat hard and it didnt even hurt. eventually i got it in with a little pain, no blood. lately it hurts to like, put on shirts and take them off and stuff cuz it goes over my earlobe. but, i can pull down on my earring,and it doesnt really hurt, just moving it in the ear hole hurts. my left ear kinda gets stuck when i try to move it, like its crusty. i still pick off the crust and im wondering how bad it is for my ear and if its causing my possible infection. i clean my ears a couple times a day, but they are still kinda hurting/crusty. do you think they are infected/ is picking the crust causing it?