Have I ruined my ear for ever? (piercing related)

[QuintessentialyHollow]

I put in a pair of ear studs a year ago, they were flat and shaped a little like a shell, so covered the hole. I have not changed them since (minging, I know), as I forgot, then we moved to London and I forgot to bring other ear rings with me.

Until then I have only used 24 carat gold in my ears, due to allergies. This pair was 9 carat. Not sure this is important, but they are less "pure".

I took them off yesterday, and realized there was a lot of gunk, the back of the stud was all in dried up gunk, as was the butterfly piece. I had honestly not noticed. I had twiddled the studs regularly, and there were no noticeable problems.

To mu shock I realized that when I cleaned my pierced hole with antiseptic, a large chunk of gunk came out, and the hole was literally 2 mm diameter! I could see right through it. It was like the flesh in my ear had been "eaten" away and replaced by gunk. It was bleeding a little. It still feels a little sore.

What have I done.

I cant wear any studs or rings in that hole now. It will look hideous. My ear lobe looks hideous. I am worried I will have a big hole for ever, and that I have some infection or something.

What should I do? Panic?

(In addition my 9 year old just told me he cant see very well from one of his eyes, but thats another thread, and I just know it is going to be THIS type of Sunday)

On Tuesday, I barely managed to scrape myself home with the boys after their swimming lessons. Now that dreadful faint feeling is back.

I will update.

OH yeah, don't play it down to the GP, this is no time for stoicism.

I am back. I now have 1g Penicillin V x4 per day, and 1g Fluxocillin x4 per day. She drew lines in my face where it is red, and told me to go straight to A&E if the redness go outside the biro, and if I feel worse.
She also said to warn any family that we might drop off the kids in the middle of the night on the way to A&E. She said it seemed likely that it may come to that, that I need it intravenous.

Thanks for the update Quint. Bloody hell that sounds scary. Have you got someone who can look after the kids if it comes to that?

Dhs aunt lives 10 minutes away from the hospital, so I guess dh will drop me off, then the kids, and then come back to me. If it comes to that.

The thing is, I dont know if anybody remembers my Christmas thread, where my niece was admitted to hospital with a serious infection in a piercing, and they had to cut pieces of ear, etc? Well, I helped clean her piercing, and wash her hair etc. I am wondering if there is a link. She had a special bacteria called Pseudomonas. But maybe it has been too long for this to be relevant? I told the doctor, they seem to think the timescale doesnt fit.

Oh my God- poor you! I am sorry if my advice contributed in any way to you not seeking medical advice any sooner... I was just relaying what worked for me, but clearly it can get worse than I thought!

Hope this resolves itself v.v. soon.

Glad you've got your aunt nearby... Not sure about the previous infection, but I had repeated staph infections (staphylococcus aurea or summat) when I was younger, and any open wound would get infected. Apparently it lives on your skin.

I think Msfit that it really depends on the person. I had no issues with cellulitis or skin infections until I got a metal piece from a rusty tent pole stuck in my finger 4/5 years ago, and needed an AB on AV drip and serious meds. Since then I seem to be prone to infections. I have not had any infections since October 2010, when even a blister on my foot got infected and I needed antibiotics.

So, I took the best of both worlds really, your advice about saline, and saw a doctor on monday anyway. Got antibiotics, upped the dose on tuesday, still no luck, and upped the dose again today! I am thankful for advice!

I am happy to announce that I AM ALIVE!

The redness did not expand overnight. Hopefully I am on the mend. Thanks for handholding!

Oh, phew. Are you still alive this morning...?

Just back after a trip to A&E with my blardy ear.

It is STIFF to the touch, my earlobe feels like an egg to touch, I can literally knock on it. My cheeks is tingling.

Even an ultra high doze of Fluxo and Penicillin V is not working. I feel so unwell.

I told the doctor about nursing my niece who was hospitalized with infection in a pierced ear caused by Pseudomonas. He has given me Ciproflaxacin instead.

Fingers crossed this will work. It has been 12 days now, and I am not recovering.

come on QS's ear, get better!

Thanks DB.

OH my God Quint, that sounds terrible, I hope the super strong drugs work this time. You've really been through the mill!

It has to get better. I am flying to Norway on Wednesday! Thanks for concerns and good wishes.

I am actually feeling a lot better today. Managed to get some work done, and that is a good start.

I feel my head has been surrounded by clouds and cotton wool for a while now, with problems focusing and gathering my thoughts properly.

I think the infection might have been lurking since Christmas, and this could be why I have been feeling so rotten.

You poor thing, that is miserable. I've been ill pretty much since early January, so have the kids. I wonder if the fact that we haven't had a sustained cold period has made infections all the more likely to hang around? I've had a chest infection that took three different rounds of antibiotics and six weeks in total to clear, and now I'm just coming through a horrible sinus infection which left me unable to walk at times because the pain in my face was so bad. I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but I'm sure this winter has been worse for that kind of thing. Roll on summer I say!

oh poor you - ouch

I've had my ears pierced for about 14 years and mine went all manky and gooey a little while ago from not swapping earring often enough.

Luckily, taking the earrings out and rubbing on some Savlon sorted mine.

Hope you feel better soon Quint