EAR, PIERCED
Symptom Definition
- Area around pierced earring is red, tender, swollen, warm to touch, torn or lacerated
General Information
- About 30% of people who have their ears pierced experience minor complications in the first few days or weeks after piercing.
- Complications include:
- Localized infection at earring site or spread of infection to entire ear
- Skin allergy (contact dermatitis) from nickel (contained in some earrings)
- Back of earring becomes lodged inside the earlobe
- Tear of earlobe due to pulling on the earring
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR PIERCED EAR
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
- You feel weak or very sick
- Earring has torn completely through the ear lobe
- Skin around the piercing site is split open or gaping
- Bleeding at the piercing site has not stopped after 10 minutes of direct pressure
- Part of earring (clasp) is stuck inside the earlobe
- Entire ear is red or swollen
- Ear pain and you have a fever
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
- You think you need to be seen
- Redness has spread beyond the earring site
- Minor tear in your earlobe and your last tetanus booster was over 10 years ago
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
- You have other questions or concerns
- Swollen lymph node (in front of or behind earlobe)
- Symptoms not improving after 3 days of treatment at with antibiotic ointment
- Small tear in earlobe from earring injury and no tetanus booster > 10 years
- Large thick scar has developed at the earring site during the last couple months
Self Care at Home If
- Localized redness and tenderness only at the earring site, and you don't think you need to be seen
- Small amount of discharge at earring site, and you don't think you need to be seen
- Small tear in earlobe from earring injury, and you don't think you need to be seen
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR PIERCED EAR
- 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.
- Newly-Pierced Ears:
- Don't remove the earring.
- Use a cotton swab ("Q-Tip") dipped in alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- After washing the hands and cleaning both sides of the earlobes with rubbing alcohol, turn the posts approximately 3 rotations. Do this twice a day.
- By the end of 6 weeks, the lining of the channels should be healed and earrings may be charged as often as desired
- 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.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- You are not improving after 3 days
- You become worse or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.