Casarsa/Getty Images
Whether it be dangly earrings, fancy studs, or big hoops, ear jewelry is an important form of a fashion statement. Men, women, children, all get the piercings done. These also have cultural connotations as well.
Most people get piercings done on their lobes, but the more daring ones also get their upper ear, and cartilage pierced as well. Piercings inside of the ear are also not unheard of.
While a significant population gets their ear pierced, it is still something to not make light of. If care instructions are not properly followed, problems can ensue.
If earrings are not worn for a sufficient period, the hole can close up. There can also be an allergic reaction to the earring material. Infection at the site of piercing is also possible, meriting a visit to the Best ENT specialist in Islamabad then.
Therefore, when getting the piercing done, it is important to be safe. Few factors to consider include:
Who should do the piercing?
It is imperative that you visit a professional for getting your ear pierced. Piercings are relatively non-invasive, but that still does not mean that you let an amateur put holes in your body.
If you can find a doctor to do your piercing, that is the best option. However, there are plenty of experts who pierce ears. Important things to look for include the lighting at the studio and the level of cleanliness there.
The person dispensing care should also be clean, wears gloves, uses sanitized equipment, etc. Furthermore, you should also do a careful risk assessment. Most facilities use ear-piercing guns, that cannot always be carefully sanitized, but the caveat is that they cannot always be sanitized.
What is the healing time?
The healing time is contingent on the area of the ear that is pierced. If the cartilage is pierced, the healing time is longer. It may take from 4 months to a year. As for the lobe, the healing time is shorter; on average, it takes around 6-8 weeks. You should ask the expert for the exact healing time.
What is the aftercare of the piercing?
In the aftermath of piercing, it is important that you give it its due care. Make sure to clean the area properly; you can use an alcohol swab for cleaning. Soap and warm water are also effective for disinfecting the wound.
Moreover, you should also put on disinfectant cream to prevent infection. It is also important that you not touch your ears, since hands carry germs that you can transfer to the wound. You should also let the earrings stay in the ear for the designated period of time for preventing the closing up of the hole.
What sort of jewelry should I wear?
Wearing jewelry of poor material and quality is not just bad in general, but especially when the piercing is still fresh. Therefore, go for 14, 18, or 22 karat gold, or platinum metal. Titanium or surgical grade steel are also safe options. If you are going for artificial earrings, then at least opt for a hypoallergenic pair.
What to do when there is an infection?
The biggest fear with piercing is not the pain, but infection. If the wound is not allowed to heal properly, or poor hygiene practices are followed, there is a great danger of your skin or ear getting an infection.
In case you are experiencing discharge, you can try to control the situation by soaking a cotton bud in a warm saltwater bowl and applying it to the affected area. You do not need to remove the piercing for this.
After cleaning, apply antibiotic cream to the area. If the problem still persists, visit an expert doctor like the Best ENT specialist in Karachi, especially when it involves your ear and not just the lobe. you may also like Eyelid dermatitis.
