II. Complications
- Auricular Perichondritis
- Superficial earlobe infection (up to 77% of piercings)
- Treat with moist heat and Bacitracin
- Consider Bactroban or Keflex in refractory cases
- Alleric Contact Dermatitis
- May appear similar to superficial earlobe infections
- Often related to nickel in ear ring, stud or backing
-
Hypertrophic Scar (Keloid)
- Treat with intralesional Corticosteroid or excision
- Ear lobe swelling obliterates piercing hole
- Maintain hole with large gauge Nylon Suture
- Earing embeds in ear lobe (prevent with longer studs)
- May require exploration under Local Anesthesia
- Risk of infection
- Ear ring pulls through ear lobe leaving wedge defect
- Repair within 24 hours
- If longer, requires recutting edges before suturing
- Watson (2002) Otolaryngol Clin North Am 35:187-205 [PubMed]
- Ear Piercing hole closes
- Re-pierce in non-scarred area in 3 months