Ear piercings have recently become very popular, especially among young people. However, piercing applications on ear cartilage can cause very serious infections. Istanbul Arel University Faculty of Medicine, Head of the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Güneş stated that the infection can lead to permanent deformity in the ear and explained what should be considered in the piercing process.
Although the piercing application, which is applied to the cartilage area of the ear and has become fashionable, is visually liked and preferred, it poses some risks in terms of health. Puncturing the cartilage can cause infections and irreversible deformities in the ear. Istanbul Arel University Faculty of Medicine Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Güneş pointed out the dangers of piercing procedures performed unconsciously and under inappropriate conditions and made important warnings.
Ear cartilage prone to infection
Stating that the cartilage area in the ear is open to infection, Güneş used the following statements:
“There is a difference between making a hole in the auricle and making a hole in the earlobe, the two tissues are different. There is cartilage in the auricle. Since cartilage is a tissue that does not have its own vessels and feeds from the surrounding tissue, it is prone to infection. When infection occurs, there is a high chance of healing with deformity. Therefore, ear cartilage should not be pierced. It is not very correct to perform a procedure that requires the introduction of a foreign substance such as piercing into tissues containing cartilage.”
“Consult a doctor even in case of redness”
Stating that a specialist should be consulted immediately if signs of infection are seen, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güneş said, “It is necessary to consult an otolaryngologist, maybe a plastic surgeon, and limit the infection there without losing time. If pain, redness, swelling have appeared, it is necessary to apply quickly. Because cartilage is a tissue that heals by thickening. Once it thickens and deforms, it is irreversible. Therefore, it is most logical to consult a doctor immediately even in mild redness.”
Stating that the condition called wrestler's ear or cauliflower ear may occur as a result of the progression of the infection, ENT Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Güneş said, “If the infection progresses excessively, a very intense infection may occur that can lead to this condition. When we catch it early, when we remove the foreign body, when we start antibiotics, we do not see this result. But if it is neglected, a situation may arise in which the permanent ear deteriorates, the cartilage thickens, looks rough and loses its formation in terms of shape.”
“If piercing is to be done, it should be done in a health institution”
Nevertheless, underlining that those who want to pierce their ears should be aware of all these risks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güneş gave the following advice to those who want to pierce their ears:
“The piercing should definitely be done in a health institution in accordance with sterile conditions. After the procedure, local ointments, which we call infection prophylaxis, with oral antibiotics, we usually do not need oral antibiotics, it should be prevented against infection. They pierce the cartilage with a gun using a temporary piercing, but the possibility of infection is higher. We do not think it is sterile. We do not recommend piercing procedures performed in various beauty centers, where there is no doctor, where the knowledge and manners of medical staff are limited.”
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