Ear Pierced

EAR - PIERCED

DEFINITION

  • Area around pierced earring is red, tender, swollen, or warm to touch
  • Earlobes can also become 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
    • The photo shows increased pigmentation and skin irritation of the lower ear lobe due to an allergy to nickel-containing earrings

    Enlarge Picture of Allergic Reaction to Nickel
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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

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 with antibiotic ointment
  • Small tear in earlobe from earring injury and no tetanus booster in the last 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
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HOME CARE ADVICE

  • 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

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

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REFERENCES

  1. Belleza WG; Kalman S. Otolaryngologic emergencies in the outpatient setting. Med Clin North Am. 2006; 90(2): 329-53.
  2. Cohen HA. Embedded earrings. Cutis. 1994;53(2):82.
  3. Hendricks WM. Complications of ear piercing: treatment and prevention. Cutis. 1991;48(5):386-94.
  4. Reiter D. Torn earlobe: a new approach to management with a review of 68 cases. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1994;103(11):879-84.

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.

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