Ear - Pierced

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Area around pierced earring is red, tender, swollen, warm to touch
• Earlobes can also become torn or lacerated

General Information

• Minor complications occur in about 30% of people who have their ears pierced experience minor complications in the first few days or weeks after piercing.
• These complications most commonly happenin the first few days or weeks after piercing.

Types of Complications include:

• Auricular chondritis: Infection of ear cartilage
• Backing of earring (clasp) becomes lodged inside the earlobe
• Blood-borne infections (e.g., Hepatitis B or HIV): Rarely these infections can be transmitted by sharing earrings with other people.
• Cellulitis: Skin infection of ear
• Contact dermatitis from allergic reaction to nickel (contained in some earrings)
• Keloid: Excessive scar formation at site, developing over months
• Localized infection at earring site with yellow discharge, crusting and irritation 
• Tears of earlobe because of a pulling injury on earring

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR PIERCED EAR

1. Localized Redness Or Discharge At Earring Site:
   • Remove the earring from the ear three times a day. Clean the earring and post with rubbing alcohol.
   • Wash away any crusting or discharge from the earlobe using soap and water.
   • Gently clean the holes on both sides of the earlobe with rubbing alcohol and some gauze.
   • Apply Bacitracin ointment to the earring post and to the earlobe holes and reinsert the earring. Bacitracin is an antibiotic ointment that can be obtained over-the-counter.
2. Newly-Pierced Ears:
   • Don't remove the earring.
   • Use a cotton swab ("Q-Tip") dipped in ear care antiseptic (usually contains benzalkonium chloride). Clean the earring post and skin three times a day.
   • Rotate (turn) the earring several times each day to prevent the skin from sticking to the post.
3. Self Care For Small Tear:
   • For bleeding, use gauze or a towel to apply direct pressure to the area for 10 minutes.
   • Remove the earring and keep it out for 3-5 days.
   • Wash the area with soap and water.
4. Preventing Infections in Newly Pierced Ears:
   • Have your earlobes pierced by someone who is experienced and uses sterile technique.
   • The initial posts should be 14-karat gold or stainless steel.
   • Do not remove the posts for 6 weeks.
   • Attach the earring clasp loosely to allow for swelling.
   • Do this twice a day:  Wash hands. Clean both sides of the earlobes with an ear care antiseptic (usually contains benzalkonium chloride). Turn the posts approximately 3 rotations.
   • By the end of 6 weeks, the lining of the channels should be healed and earrings may be changed as often as desired
5. Preventing an Allergic Reaction To Nickel: Some people have a skin allergy to nickel. Wear earrings with posts made out of 14 K gold or surgical steel.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You are not improving after 3 days
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

Source: LMS Inc.

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