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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for advice on ear piercing problem?

28 replies

christmaswish · 30/11/2012 11:31

I first had my ears pieced with a gun, 30 years ago, as a child. I stopped wearing earrings for a few years, and in 2006 found I could no longer easily get them back in.

So I got them re-pierced (gun again) about 2mms from the original site. Whilst they healed well, I started having problems with irritation.

I stopped wearing earrings for 9 months, then couldn't get them in at all.

I went to a tattoo/piercing parlour about 3 months ago. The piercer tried, but failed, to get earrings in the holes, so he re-pierced over the site of my first piercing, with a needle & titanium stud things (longer than studs, with a screw on ball).

They both seemed to heal nicely. My right ear has no problems. I stopped the sea salt washes at 8 weeks, and can take the earring out - no problems.

My left ear though - is another story! My toddler did use to catch it a lot, and it would bleed. I carried on the salt washes, it would get better. Then one day it was weeping. I carried on cleaning, so the piercer, who said they were fine, and he was impressed how well they'd healed - fine.

Then the unused hole started swelling up, and when cleaning the piercing it would burst when touched. I noticed that at the same time I started getting pus from the piercing.

I've been back to see the piercer, who said that I hadn't looked after it properly Hmm even though 4 weeks ago it was healed.

It keeps happening though - the piecing is fine, nice & clean, but then the unused hole will swell up, burst with pus, and then the piecing gets manky.

I've asked whether the old piercing and the new one could be connected inside - maybe it ripped when DD pulled it, causing a space for gunk to collect (they are only 2 mms apart), but apparently this couldn't happen. He couldn't explain why the old one affects the new one.

I'm at a loss - any advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 11:54

Anybody?

OP posts:
StanleyLambchop · 30/11/2012 11:56

How about clip ons, on some studs with magnetic backs? It seems as though you have tried your best but pierced ears are a problem for you so I would be giving up and finding an alternative IIWY.

puds11 · 30/11/2012 11:56

I would take them out and leave them alone. Its not worth it. I had to do the same with my lovely nose piercing Sad

LadyMargolotta · 30/11/2012 11:56

'I've asked whether the old piercing and the new one could be connected inside'

That would be called a fistula I think.

You should see your GP.

InNeedOfBrandy · 30/11/2012 11:58

I would see you gp and forget ear piercing.

bondigidum · 30/11/2012 12:11

Some people can't have certain piercings.

I say this because I am one of them. I used to have ten different piercings in face, nipple, navel, nape of neck and wrist. All were completely fine. I tried to have lots of ear piercings- first and second holes, top of ear, tragus, conch and industrial. I also stretched the first holes up to 20mm. Anyway so all of my ear piercings became infected after not very long. The tragus became so infected it basically exploded (became so swollen it blocked up all of my ear so I was totally deaf) and had to go to a&e to have it removed with local. All my other piercings I had no issue with, I just couldn't deal with ear piercings- they didn't work.

You've tried three times now and all have failed. Seems like your body is rejecting the piercing- it doesn't want it to be there. Leave them out. Earings aren't that important, you can always get magnetic if you're that bothered. It isn't worth the pain/them getting badly infected.

Fakebook · 30/11/2012 12:18

Maybe your body is rejecting the studs?

Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 12:26

Thank you all.

I suspect that you may be right.

bondi I'm not sure I entirely agree that I've "failed" three times though.

The first piercing I had successfully for 20yrs. No problems at all. It was after I'd left them out for a few years that they felt a bit 'tight' to get in, so I was too scared to force them, and got the second holes. These were fine to start with, but got irritated if I used anything other than gold or silver in (i.e. cheap costume jewellery). I only stopped wearing earrings in them, when I became pregnant at the beginning of last year, and couldn't be bothered, then I couldn't get them in again.

So whilst I respect what everyone is saying about not being suitable to piercings, that is clearly not true, as it is only in the last 3 months, since the re-piercing that I have this sort of issue (they never had pus before).

Also it's not the piercing per se, it's the unused hole behind it that is causing the issue, it is that which keeps 'popping' not the piercing, although when the pressure builds up that is when my piercing plays up. Taking out the piercing won't necessarily stop that, as there is no earring in there.

My worry about taking the piercing out, is that any 'gunk' in there will form an abcess, as the skin closing will trap it inside - as happens to the empty hole.

I guess I will just have to give up - thanks though :)

OP posts:
Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 12:28

Fakebook I did consider that - I actually asked if I could try plastic, as opposed to titanium. But apparently titianium cannot cause any allergies.

The piercing itself isn't at all swollen, it isn't even that red - it's the empty hole behind that is swollen and red.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 30/11/2012 12:29

I would see the GP - it might be that you need anti biotics.

Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 12:29

Sorry - I meant it isn't red at all.

OP posts:
Fakebook · 30/11/2012 12:29

Your body doesn't have to reject piercings straightaway. You've punched holes in the same place three times. Your body is now rejecting it because it sees it as a foreign object. Perhaps leave it alone now?

Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 12:30

Valium thank you :) I did actually have antibiotics a month ago (for something unrelated) - very strong ones, and still the back hole burst.

OP posts:
Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 12:31

Fakebook That does make sense - thank you :) I blame DH, he is the one who insisted I go to get a 'professional' to re-do them - I would have just managed to get them in the existing ones somehow.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 30/11/2012 12:32

But you might need a specific anti b and/or cream/powder.

Marzipanface · 30/11/2012 12:39

You need to see a GP.

CindySherman · 30/11/2012 12:42

I would take them out and leave my ears to heal and settle for a long, long time. For ever really.

valiumredhead · 30/11/2012 12:46

It honestly sounds like when I needed anti biotics - my ear was in a terrible mess but I needed meds.

pinkyredrose · 30/11/2012 12:56

Do not take the piercing out, this is the worst thing you can do. The pus needs to be able to drain, if trapped in it can easily form an abcess. I've seen cases where people have had parts of their ear removed after having an abcess caused by removing jewellery.

Don't turn the jewellery as that will aggravate it. Clean it gently several times a day with a salt water solution and leave it alone. You can take zinc supplements to aid healing too.

Don't go to your GP just yet, most GPs are completely clueless about body piercing.

You need to go back to your piercer and let them see it. It might be worth going to another piercer for a second opinion. Not all piercers are completely reputable or that experienced.

Whereabouts are you? I recommend a good studio if you're near London.

Fakebook · 30/11/2012 12:57

Mix up some honey and turmeric and rub it on there everyday. It'll give you yellow ears but it'll heal really quickly.

pinkyredrose · 30/11/2012 13:01

Just read your OP again. Did you mean that the piercer pierced the exact same site as you're original piercings ie. they pierced scar tissue?

If so then this should never be done as can cause huge problems with scar tissue unable to heal as well. As you're finding out.

I would go to another more experienced piercer personally.

FutureNannyOgg · 30/11/2012 13:02

Old "healed" piercings often make gunk like this, the hole on the outside might be sealed but the "tunnel" inside is still making oil and shedding skin cells, these build up and have to find a way out somehow, it sounds like the route out might be your unhealed piercing, if it is shedding gunk like this, it probably always will.
I wouldn't advise taking out the jewellery if there is any chance it is infected, all that will do is remove the route for the pus to drain and you get an absess.
Salt is not a great piercing cleaning plan, its easy to get the solution too strong and irritate the skin, and unless you rinse well with warm water, the salt crusts and damages the skin when the jewellery moves.
I would recommend the LITFA method for piercings. Dont put anything on it but mild soap, if you must, and lots of water to rinse with, don't turn the studor change it (a ring might be better to help it drain,but don't keep changing it), don't squeeze, don't touch it, in general "leave it the fuck alone". Keep an eye on it, give it time. I think it needs to be given the chance to sort itself out before you consider anything else.

Original poster
christmaswish · 30/11/2012 13:02

pinky I am in Aylesbury. I think I will try another piercer, it's just so weird that it's the empty hole that is causing the problem. Thanks for the advice.

Fakebook Thanks good advice.

Valium thanks too

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 30/11/2012 13:04

I have 2 peircings in my ears, the top one I never use now and I can STILL get gunk out if I give it a good squeeze

pinkyredrose · 30/11/2012 13:08

That's right future you only need a very weak salt solution.

OP I don't know any studios in Aylesbury but I would ask around/ research online to find the most reputable studio near you.