A 2018 survey found that 83% of Americans have pierced ears.The other common sites for piercing include eyebrows, genitals,lips, navel,nipples, nose, and tongue. Because ear piercing is so commonly performed, there are many standards in place to help minimize complications, however, there are some dangers of getting your ears pierced.
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Potential Risks
While ear piercings are very common, it does involve some serious risks. The most common (albeit all are relatively infrequent) include:
If proper hygiene isn’t followed, your risk of infection increases. You should carefully clean your ears as directed andwash your handsbefore touching your new piercings or changing the earrings.
InfectionSymptoms of infection include redness and irritation at the site, oozing of pus or fluid (especially if it has a foul odor), and fever. If the infection progresses it can lead to skin changes extending past the ear area, or if the infection spreads to the bloodstream it can lead to symptoms of overwhelming body infection like confusion, shortness of breath and low blood pressure, which is very dangerous.
Infection
Symptoms of infection include redness and irritation at the site, oozing of pus or fluid (especially if it has a foul odor), and fever. If the infection progresses it can lead to skin changes extending past the ear area, or if the infection spreads to the bloodstream it can lead to symptoms of overwhelming body infection like confusion, shortness of breath and low blood pressure, which is very dangerous.
The risk of infection is greater when the ear cartilage, as opposed to the earlobe, is pierced. Cartilage has less blood flow, making it difficult for infection-fighting white blood cells to arrive at the site of infection and do their job.
Treatment
If you do have complications after having your ears pierced some of the following treatments may be warranted. It’s always best to consult with a physician before starting a specific treatment for complications related to ear piercing:
When the earring needs to be removed for various reasons, you may request to have a 20-gauge Teflon catheter ring put into the hole to keep it patent while your ear heals.
If the Hole ClosesIf the hole closes, you should wait three months and have the earring placed in a different spot where there is no scar tissue formed.
If the Hole Closes
If the hole closes, you should wait three months and have the earring placed in a different spot where there is no scar tissue formed.
Where to Get Your Ears Pierced
Not all places that perform body piercings are created equal. Be sure to investigate any place you’re considering for ear or body piercings. Here are some quick tips for finding a good place:
What to Expect When Getting Your Ears Pierced
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Environmental Health Association.Policy statement on ear piercing guns. 2018.Purim KS, Rosario BA, Rosario CS, Guimarães AT.Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(6):905-10. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142878Perry AW, Sosin M.Reconstruction of ear deformity from post-piercing perichondritis.Arch Plast Surg. 2014;41(5):609-12. doi:10.5999/aps.2014.41.5.609American Academy of Dermatology.What kids should know about getting piercing done safely.Additional ReadingGoicochea E.Body piercing and health complications among college students in Puerto Rico. Walden UniversityWalden University ScholarWorks; 2017:20.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Environmental Health Association.Policy statement on ear piercing guns. 2018.Purim KS, Rosario BA, Rosario CS, Guimarães AT.Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(6):905-10. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142878Perry AW, Sosin M.Reconstruction of ear deformity from post-piercing perichondritis.Arch Plast Surg. 2014;41(5):609-12. doi:10.5999/aps.2014.41.5.609American Academy of Dermatology.What kids should know about getting piercing done safely.Additional ReadingGoicochea E.Body piercing and health complications among college students in Puerto Rico. Walden UniversityWalden University ScholarWorks; 2017:20.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Environmental Health Association.Policy statement on ear piercing guns. 2018.Purim KS, Rosario BA, Rosario CS, Guimarães AT.Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(6):905-10. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142878Perry AW, Sosin M.Reconstruction of ear deformity from post-piercing perichondritis.Arch Plast Surg. 2014;41(5):609-12. doi:10.5999/aps.2014.41.5.609American Academy of Dermatology.What kids should know about getting piercing done safely.
National Environmental Health Association.Policy statement on ear piercing guns. 2018.
Purim KS, Rosario BA, Rosario CS, Guimarães AT.Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(6):905-10. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142878
Perry AW, Sosin M.Reconstruction of ear deformity from post-piercing perichondritis.Arch Plast Surg. 2014;41(5):609-12. doi:10.5999/aps.2014.41.5.609
American Academy of Dermatology.What kids should know about getting piercing done safely.
Goicochea E.Body piercing and health complications among college students in Puerto Rico. Walden UniversityWalden University ScholarWorks; 2017:20.
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