Ear piercings can be an exciting new addition to your look, but there are some risks that come with them. After all, you’re making a hole in your earlobe or cartilage, which is delicate tissue. This article will explain what dangers you should be aware of before you get an ear piercing and why it’s so important to take care of your piercing as soon as possible after it heals.
Scarring
Scarring is a possibility with any piercing, but it’s more likely to occur if you have an earlobe piercing. This is because the skin on your earlobes is thin and fragile, so it’s more likely to scar if something goes wrong during the healing process.
Scarring can take two forms: keloids and hypertrophic scars. Keloids are raised scars that look like bumps or warts on your skin; they grow bigger than what was originally pierced and don’t go away without treatment (see below). Hypertrophic scars are raised as well, but not as large as keloids; these usually fade over time without treatment.
Infection
Infection is a serious risk with any piercing, but it’s especially common with ear piercings. If the area around your new hole isn’t cleaned properly, bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection–or even worse, spread to other parts of your body. If you have any reason to think that your piercer might not be using sterile equipment or following proper hygiene protocols (like washing their hands), don’t get pierced by them!
Infections can also result from improper care after a piercing has been done; if you don’t follow instructions for caring for your earlobe after getting stretched or repierced at home (more on this below), then things like dirt or dust could get trapped inside the healing hole and lead to irritation or inflammation down the road. Bacterial growth will occur if left untreated; this can lead to scarring and loss of hearing if left untreated.
Reverse puncture
A reverse puncture is when the jewelry goes in too deep, causing the earlobe to tear or split. This can happen if you aren’t careful while putting on your earrings, or if you wear heavy earrings that strain the piercing site over time. If this happens to you, don’t panic–it’s not permanent!
Here’s what to do:
Remove any jewelry from your pierced ears immediately; otherwise it may get stuck and cause more damage when removed later on.
Cleanse the wound with soap and water thoroughly before applying an antibacterial ointment such as Neosporin (or another brand of antibiotic cream). Make sure not to pack this into your piercing; just apply enough so that it covers all sides of your injured area without being too thick or runny–you want it thin enough so that air can still reach through it easily once everything has dried up again later down their road towards recovery time period which could take anywhere between two weeks up until six months.
Ear Lobe Perforation
If an earring is pulled on too hard or if it’s made of a material that isn’t right for your ears, it can cause perforations in your ear lobes. This is most common when using rings or other heavy jewelry in an attempt to stretch out the piercing. If you are wearing an unsuitable piece of jewelry and have trouble taking it out, this can lead to tearing of your earlobe as well as infection and inflammation.
Cartilage
Cartilage piercings use special needles to pierce the skin, then close the hole with jewelry that fits snugly in place. The healing process takes about six weeks, but it varies based on how well you take care of your piercing during that time period, including cleaning it daily with salt water and keeping it out of sunlight as much as possible.
Nerve damage
A needle used for piercing may accidentally pierce through a nerve bundle near the surface of your skin, causing pain and numbness in the area around the piercing site. If this happens, see your doctor right away because if left untreated, nerve damage can result in permanent loss of feeling in that area of your body.
Risks
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting your ears pierced. But it’s important to remember that any type of body piercing can be risky, and that there are some risks with ear piercings in particular.
Like all piercings, an ear piercing can cause infections and other complications if it isn’t properly cared for. These risks can range from mild irritation to severe infection.
Earrings are safe when properly cared for, but they can cause problems if not treated properly or removed by an experienced professional, such as Blomdahl when necessary.
Blood Vessel Damage
The skin around your earlobes is thin and delicate and contains many blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to this area of the body. Piercing this area can damage these blood vessels and lead to bleeding, bruising and even tissue death if not treated promptly.
While ear piercing is a popular form of body modification, it’s important to be aware of the risks. If you are considering getting your ears pierced, make sure that you research the process thoroughly and find an experienced piercer who will take the time to answer all your questions.
