Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Swelling Inside The Site Of Ear Piercing. Is It Scar Tissue?
Question: I've been reading about lumps at the site of NEW piercings but I've had my ear pierced for YEARS & just recently it started bothering me. It's sore to the touch, with a lump seemingly inside the earring hole. I had thought it was infection & have been squeezing on it but it won't come out. Perhaps it's scar tissue? Should I just give up on the earring and let the hole close up? Also I've had some numbness I'm not sure if it's related but seemed to start at the same time... it feels like I have earphones in and then seems to feel like the earphones are growing to cause pressure and then it goes away. It's sporadic throughout the day....
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The swelling in the vicinity of the ear piercings may be an allergic reaction to impurities in the earrings which have eroded the coating. Nickel, Chromium and other metals are frequently responsible.
2. Infection, cysts and keloid scar formation are other possibilities,
3. You may change the earrings to a pure gold wire for some time if you want to retain the piercing.
4. The numbness implies local inflammation affecting the cutaneous nerves.
5. Get this examined. It may be that the respiratory infection has altered your immune system. Get a prescription for an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and a local antibiotic, anti-fungal and steroid cream combination.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for your query.
1. The swelling in the vicinity of the ear piercings may be an allergic reaction to impurities in the earrings which have eroded the coating. Nickel, Chromium and other metals are frequently responsible.
2. Infection, cysts and keloid scar formation are other possibilities,
3. You may change the earrings to a pure gold wire for some time if you want to retain the piercing.
4. The numbness implies local inflammation affecting the cutaneous nerves.
5. Get this examined. It may be that the respiratory infection has altered your immune system. Get a prescription for an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and a local antibiotic, anti-fungal and steroid cream combination.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
