How to differentiate crusting and just dry skin?

Got my earlobes pierced for the first time exactly 10 weeks ago, and I haven’t had any major issues so far. They were downsized 3 weeks in, and I’ve only had medical-grade titanium bar piercings. Internal threading too, and I’ve never removed it myself.

I’ve done my best to clean them often, I’ve slowed down on saline rinses because I found out it was drying the area out and causing dry skin.

I have lifelong eczema, so dry skin isn’t really out of the norm for me… but how can I know whether it’s crusting or just dry skin? There’s no yellowing, I don’t have any pain— except for the one or two times I’ve accidentally bumped it or snagged it against clothing.

Does this sound about normal for 10 weeks? I’d ask my piercer but she charges $35+ for just a check up 🧍‍♀️

I’ve done my best not to touch my piercings either, but what are the chances of infection if I do touch the piercings now? Am I in the clear to clean my ears more thoroughly?