Ear - Pierced

pierced ear

DEFINITION

Area around pierced earring is red, tender, swollen, 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

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 9 am and 4 pm) 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 greater than 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 changed 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 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.

Author and Senior Reviewer: David A. Thompson, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 9/21/2007

Last Revised: 9/21/2007

Content Set: Adult HouseCalls Online