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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you complain?

36 replies

Cliorio · 18/08/2023 17:04

Posted about this before but NC. Not sure if I’m being unreasonable and it’s probably partly my fault but just feel a bit annoyed and I’ve wasted money too.

I had my ears pierced a week ago at an jewellers after having them done years ago and one closed up. The other was fine so I just had one pierced again with a gun.

My ear lobes are quite thick. I’ve had problem with some earrings in the past being too small and therefore with the swelling they have been way too tight around my ear and then have fallen into the hole. I advised the piercer of this and told them what had happened before. The piercer said it would be completely fine because my ear wouldn’t swell too much with it just being re pierced and not a new piercing. I told him I just wanted new piercings instead next to my old ones but he said I’m fine to just get my old piercing pierced through and reopen the closed bit at the back.

I’ve woken up this morning with a swollen and red hot ear, the stud has fallen in the hole and has embedded inside my ear lobe and can no longer see it. I went back to the jewellers today and they told me to go to an and e. They said they do longer back earrings but these need ordering in. I just don’t get why the piercer didn’t tell me this. He said because it’s not a new piercing as such that there would be no swelling.

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ClaireF2013 · 19/08/2023 13:38

I am not convinced that you will get a refund if you’ve signed a consent form that outlines the risks, but I would still write an email and also shame them on social media!!

As someone who works in an emergency department… just go. They will be sympathetic. I have dug out an earring from someone’s ear at about 3am (they couldn’t sleep and begged mum to take them to have it removed!). They might inject your ear with local anaesthetic first and then they can remove it without too much pain. You will be waiting quite some time for it to properly heal, so that you can have it re-done, though (if that is what you want).

LauderSyme · 19/08/2023 11:18

You have a foreign body trapped inside you and potentially have what could be a very serious infection. You won't be wasting A & E's time, please go this minute and get your ear treated x

PragmaticWench · 19/08/2023 05:12

Just go to A&E now, it'll be quiet at this time of day.

Messyplayallday · 19/08/2023 04:58

OP when I was little I caught chickenpox and they healed over my earring front and back on both ears, it required surgery to get them out. Very very quick!
Go to A&E, it’s not a waste of their time. You could catch sepsis or infection.

Original poster
Cliorio · 19/08/2023 04:28

I’m really not sure what to do with it being the weekend. 111 did not call me back and I have no walk in or urgent care near me, I can’t remove the earring myself, the skin has now closed over at the front over night so the earring is completely trapped, I don’t want to waste A and E staffs time either!

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Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 22:04

A bit of a rash has started also

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Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 22:04

@Ennyyy thank you yes I have bathed in salt water and kept on top of the aftercare with it. I feel quite light headed and sick tbh!

will keep the ear ring in. I can’t seem to get the back off anyway it’s way too tight and the pain is unbearable when I try, I’m pretty sure there’s an infection in there now, I’m guessing with it being so tight on even when I have cleaned it it’s not being cleaned well. Also no air circulation getting to it

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Hishine · 18/08/2023 21:19

That looks sore. I would complain as they ignored your concerns. Maybe they get commission if they do a piercing

I agree don’t try and get it out yourself as it may close up and trap the infection if there is one. You may need antibiotics so definitely get it looked at

Ennyyy · 18/08/2023 21:13

That's awful, you would be justified in complaining. The company may not change anything, though, as they will be sales assistants with minimal training as opposed to actual piercers, and guns carry a higher risk of infection and trauma to the ear. As others have said, definitely go to a piercer who will use a needle if you want it redone.
Have you cleaned it with salt water? Don't use anything else on it unless a medical professional advises it. As far as I know it's worse to take the jewellery out yourself when it's infected, however it is worth checking with 111 or similar as I'm not a piercer or HCP, just going on what I've been advised when I've had piercings.

Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 21:04

Thanks everyone. NHS 111 haven’t called back within their 4 hour time frame they gave. I understand they are busy. I can’t get to A and E anyway at this time and looking on A and E website it is a 8 hr wait between arriving and discharge. There is also no walk in centres near me it turns out. I’m just worried incase there’s an infection or the hole closes over the earring at the front, trapping it. Not sure how likely that is? I think it will be ok over night and then hopefully I can have it seen too as my ear is twice the size and throbbing, feels boiling hot!! So sore. Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight. Thanks all who have replied

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PostageAndPackaging · 18/08/2023 19:49

Absolutely 100% their fault.

You literally told them your concerns based on prior experience.

They literally ignored that, said it wouldn't happen, then told you after that they can't forsee this........

Their fault.

Though please, go to a reputable piercing saloon next time. Never use guns.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 18/08/2023 19:30

In which case it absolutely is their fault.
Write a detailed email including exactly what you were told during your consultation, what has happened and what you've been told now.
At the very least you want your money back so you can pay for it to be pierced correctly.

Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 19:29

Called 111 and said I would have a call back within 4 hours. Been about 4 hours now. Back of my ear in a mess

Would you complain?
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Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 18:20

I also have other piercings that have heeled fine it’s just my ear lobes as they are definitely on the thick side. The piercer told me they only have standard size ear rings and it’s one size for all, I wasn’t informed they could order longer back ones in, was only told this when I went back in today

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Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 18:18

It’s a shame as the other ear lobe is completely fine and healed well and I could get my earring back in fine in that one, it’s just the left one that I have problems with

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Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 18:17

@Abbimae I just signed to say that I had no blood clotting issues etc. they didn’t measure the jewellery up

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gamerchick · 18/08/2023 17:57

You could always treat it as a sign that your ears don't like to be pierced.

pictoosh · 18/08/2023 17:51

Stud guns cause a lot of damage to the tissue bluntly blasting through it. The needle is fine, sharp and slides through, preserving the tissue surrounding the hole.
The needle is far superior. Next time go for that method. Good luck sorting the ear out.

RedHelenB · 18/08/2023 17:50

Maybe forget about piercings altogether.

purplecorkheart · 18/08/2023 17:48

I was shocked a few years ago when visiting a newly opened salon in my area. The person I normally got my nails done with had cancelled on me last minute so the new place squeezed me in but said that there would be staff training going on in the salon next to nail desk.

It was an ear piercing course. I was getting a removal and french gel so was there longer than the full course. The instructor offered me a cert to say I had completed the course.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 18/08/2023 17:46

Did you sign a waiver or anything before they did it? Ask to see it or look online for their T&C's.
They should have done a proper consultation which includes ensuring the jewellery they have is compatible, in this case it was too short.
They also informed you as fact that it wasn't the same as a new piercing. This is inaccurate.

Abbimae · 18/08/2023 17:43

Go to a tattoo piercing store or similar. Get a flat back labret fitted that’s longer and just leave it in until if’s healed.

Original poster
Cliorio · 18/08/2023 17:33

I did go in and speak to them and the lady said she’s not going to attempt to remove it. She said they can’t take fault as they can’t foresee this happening, she said they do thousands of piercings and have never had any issues. But it’s just the fact that I tell him of my previous issue with my lobe piercings and he said there will be no problems this time so I went with his advice

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AlanJohnsonsBeemer · 18/08/2023 17:27

Definitely complain then if you choose to get it redone go with for a needle piercing. Recently DD got her second set of lobe piercings and I got my nose done and the piercer was so careful and knowledgable. She measured how big we would needs the bars on our piercings to be. She could answer any questions we had confidently, even mine about using Tret on my face. She really took her time, before, during and after and told us to get in touch with any questions at all afterwards.

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