Ear Piercing

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