Cartilage Piercing Infection
Piercing the higher portion of the ear, known as
the cartilage, is a fashion statement that can be dangerous. Before
deciding to pierce the upper portion of your ear, familiarize
yourself with the health risks associated with cartilage ear
piercings.
Pain, Swelling and Redness
The signs of inflammation will be present with perichondritis. A
painful and red ear is the most common symptom of ear cartilage
infection, according to the National Institutes of Health. Pain will
occur in the cartilage portion of your ear. The redness surrounds
the area where the injury has occurred. Ear lobe swelling can occur
with an infection of the ear cartilage.
Changes in Shape
Pus can collect between the cartilage and surrounding perichondrium
with a severe infection. This pus collection can sometimes result in
the death of the cartilage. This happens because the cartilage
receives its blood supply and nutrition from the perichondrium. This
can lead to a deformed ear. An untreated severe infection of the ear
cartilage can change the shape of the ear and result in
cauliflower-shaped deformity of the ear.
Discharge
Severe cases of ear cartilage infection will result in fever,
discharge seeping from the wound and itching of the ear. A severe
ear cartilage infection will cause crusts in the affected area and
pus like discharge. The infection from the ear can spread to soft
tissues of the face and neck, according to University of Texas
Medical Branch. If you have the above symptoms of ear cartilage
infection, seek immediate medical attention to prevent
complications.
Keloids
Keloids are large, puffy scars that may form when the skin is too
thin and scars rather than healing. Especially after a bad
infection, keloids can appear on the top portion of the ear as a
result of piercing. Cortisone injections, pressure dressing and
laser therapy can help smooth out the skin, but it can leave the ear
scarred after cartilage piercing.
Hereditary
In some piercees, keloids are a hereditary medical condition.
Piercees with close family members, such as parents or siblings,
with keloids are most likely to keloid in connection with ear
cartilage piercing. Piercing the ear cartilage, no matter the
method, results in keloids around, inside or outside of the piercing
location. Receiving a piercing with a sterilized needle from a
professional body piercer that provides thorough aftercare
guidelines decreases the possibility of keloid formation. The
piercee, following the aftercare guidelines in addition to the
professional procedure, may prevent or slow the formation of a
keloid, yet this varies from piercee to piercee. Piercing guns and
unprofessional tools cause additional trauma to the cartilage and
lack of aftercare may aid in the growth of a keloid. Keloids form
mostly at the back of the ear piercing, as this is where the
piercing causes the most trauma to the skin.
Considerations
If you are worried that you are prone to keloid scarring, consult
your health-care provider and avoid activities such as piercings and
tattoos. Likewise, speak with a doctor if you suspect a scar of
being a keloid rather than the more common hypertrophic scar.
What to avoid:
Changing the jewelry
Saunas, Pools, Sea etc
Wearing hats, unclean clothes
Taking off the jewelry for at least 3 weeks
Touching the piercing with dirty hands. Touching it will cause
bacteria to spread and pain.
If you believe you may have an infection, see a doctor or the person
that did your piercing.
Do not use rubbing alcohol to clean jewelry while it is in your ear
as it will irritate the area.
CHECK OUT:
Piercing Risks
Piercing Pain
Piercing Mistakes
Piercing Effects
Body Modification