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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know where to go to remove stick earring

44 replies

DaffodilsHouse · 04/02/2022 19:19

Sorry not an AIBU really but looking for quick-ish responses. Earring is stuck - the butterfly just won't come off and the more we try the more swollen the lobe round the back of the butterfly becomes, and the more panicked the patient! Antiseptic spray and oil haven't helped.

Aside from A&E where can we go to get this removed? Would somewhere like Claire's Accessories or Accessorise help? Do we need a nurse?

OP posts:
YeOldePotato · 04/02/2022 19:20

It the ear red and infected?

pascalandrapunzel · 04/02/2022 19:21

Minor injuries if you've got one near you?
I don't know for sure but I don't think Claire's etc would touch it if it's swollen etc

BarryTheKestrel · 04/02/2022 19:22

During the day, a proper piercing studio, not Claires, would be where I'd go.

If it's infected and at night /weekend I'd call 111 for antibiotics and hopefully a medical professional to remove it.

6demandingchildren · 04/02/2022 19:22

Cocktail stock into the loop of the butterfly and pull while holding onto the front

Footnote · 04/02/2022 19:23

Have you tried with latex gloves on? Somehow you get a better grip.

TheHoptimist · 04/02/2022 19:23

Have you tried trying to separate the butterfly at the back?

NewYearCalavicci · 04/02/2022 19:23

I would try a local chemist 1st , they may be able to assist or at least give advice to the next step.

Have you tried ice ( wrapped in a cloth ) to reduce the swelling ?

CassieJumped · 04/02/2022 19:24

My mum sat on my back with pliers and pointy nails. It was traumatic

Lostinafjord · 04/02/2022 19:24

Ice pack to reduce swelling before trying to remove?

Motherhubbardscupboard · 04/02/2022 19:24

A tattoo place that does piercing might be able to help. They're actually the best places to get piercings done, they're very clean and they may have tools to help sort you out. If it can't wait until the morning then minor injuries I'd they're still open.

nonevernotever · 04/02/2022 19:24

Can you turn the earring round in the ear or is that stuck too?

Original poster
DaffodilsHouse · 04/02/2022 19:28

You can turn the earring around, and whilst the ear seems a bit swollen there no puss or anything. I think it's become swollen from all the attempts. The butterfly just will not budge up but the whole earring twists around ok.

OP posts:
Stath · 04/02/2022 19:29

I ended up in the minor injury bit of our local A&E when this happened.
The earrings had totally sunk into the lobes (overnight so didn’t have chance to take them out) and they were horribly sore.

I felt so very guilty going to hospital but the nurses were lovely and said it’s a frequent thing. Ended up with gas and air so it was bloody marvellous in the end!

Don’t be afraid of going to your local minor injuries/a&e if you can’t remove it.

Bonbon21 · 04/02/2022 19:32

Pair of pliers at the front..pair of pliers at the back... then go for it...

Original poster
DaffodilsHouse · 04/02/2022 19:33

It's tricky getting a grip on each bit with pliers...

OP posts:
Original poster
DaffodilsHouse · 04/02/2022 19:33

Don't really have time to sit and wait in minor injuries for 5+ hours - hoping I can find somewhere a bit quicker

OP posts:
Pumperthepumper · 04/02/2022 19:34

Snippers, cut the earring bar.

MagnoliatheMagnificent · 04/02/2022 19:35

How old is the patient??

sheiselectric · 04/02/2022 19:35

This happened to me and I used pliers. Tattoo shops and piercers are not insured for this.

cansu · 04/02/2022 19:35

I would ice your ear and let the swelling calm down. You can then have a fresh go or go to piercing place and ask them to get it off.

deeplyambivalent · 04/02/2022 19:42

WD40? It works for everything else...

veralo · 04/02/2022 19:42

Ice to bring down swelling and then tin-snips between ear lobe and front of earring, have actually done this, do it very slowly.

SheWoreYellow · 04/02/2022 19:45

Have you got the other one out ok? Have a play with it to see what you need to do to get it off.

Is it the pair they were pierced with? They can be very stiff. Do you need to get it off tonight? Is it so swollen that it’s a problem?

swapsicles · 04/02/2022 19:46

Look at another pair of earrings, the butterfly back needs to be pulled apart slightly away from the post to enable it to come loose. Brand new ones tend to be super tight to stay in.
If you have a pair of tweezers with pointed tips that would work well. Practice on a back that's not in situ to know what you're doing and perhaps show the patient too.
Might want to leave it a bit as the more you fiddle the more it'll swell.

PuttingOutFires · 04/02/2022 19:47

@MagnoliatheMagnificent

How old is the patient??
Would there be different options depending on the age?

Or are you just being snipey?

FWIW I absolutely despise piercings on unable-to-consent minors but that is not what the OP is asking...