Problems With Ear Piercings

These days, when people are piercing noses, eyebrows, tongues, belly buttons and other areas farther down, the innocuous earring seems to be an afterthought. However, an article in the "Journal of General Internal Medicine" in 1999 noted that many professional piercers are neither regulated nor licensed, which could make even an ear piercing problematic. Emily Dwass of the "Los Angeles Times" recommends going to a dermatologist to get your ears pierced.

Infection

Any time the skin is opened, there is the possibility of infection. In the case of ear piercing, infections often develop right after piercing, either because the equipment used to make the hole wasn't properly sterilized or because the newly pierced person doesn't take proper care of the hole during the healing period. People with suppressed immune systems or skin problems, such as psoriasis or dermatitis, are at a higher risk of getting an infection, according to journal article authors, Laura M. Koenig and Molly Carnes.
The resulting infection is usually caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria. Koenig and Carnes report that in cartilage piercings toward the top of the ear, pseudomonal bacteria are more likely to cause an infection, which is more serious. "American Family Physician" says that these higher piercings are more likely get infected in the first place, too.
To heal infections, Koenig and Carnes recommend warm compresses and antibacterial soap and ointment. You should keep the earring in so the wound can drain. To prevent infections, always follow the instructions you get when you have your ears pierced.

Transmissible Disease

In a very few cases, diseases such as hepatitis and HIV have been transmitted via piercing. Unsterilized equipment and sharing of unsterilized earrings are the biggest culprits, Koenig and Carnes report.

Scarring

Even with properly maintained and sterilized equipment, you can develop thickened scars and keloids from piercings. They are more common in black people and Asians, Koenig and Carnes note. If steroid injection and pressure treatment don't get rid of the scars, your dermatologist may have to surgically remove them.

Allergies

Allergies to metal can cause rashes around the site of the piercing and in severe cases can cause asthma. This is most common with nickel-based earrings, according to Koenig and Carnes, but it can also occur with gold or silver. Most jewelry shops carry a wide selection of hypoallergenic earrings if your skin is sensitive. Dwass says stainless steel is also a good choice.

Tearing

Earrings can catch on open-weave clothes, scarves, coats, even hairbrushes. This can apply to small studs as well as large dangling jewelry. Small children and some animals are drawn to what they perceive as a plaything as well and a hard-enough tug could cause the earlobe to tear. In some cases only surgery can fix this injury.