General Question

Fly's avatar

Ear piercing question?

Asked by Fly (8726points) June 26th, 2009

Exactly two years ago on my thirteenth birthday, I got my cartilage pierced. Now, two years later, I still have what seems like a permanent knot. I know that it’s not infected, but it does hurt and is relatively large. Is there a way to get rid of it and should I be concerned?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

33 Answers

jbfletcherfan's avatar

It sounds like scar tissue. It didn’t heal flat the way it should have. If it bothers too much, you may have to go have it looked at.

Fly's avatar

That’s what I figured. :/
It’s generally not too bothersome, although I was stupid at the time and got the piercing on the side that I sleep on. :P

mangeons's avatar

Smooth, Madison.

Anyway, why didn’t you just get it checked out when you went to the doctor today, when you were there?

Randy's avatar

It’s called a keloid. It’s really not that big a deal and MANY people get them around a helix piercing. (The helix is the upper cartilage part of the ear.) There are some treatment options near the bottom of the link I posted. Good luck.

EDIT- I should mention that the pictures on the link I posted are EXTREME keloids. In your position it should just be a little bump around the hole of your piercing.

Jeruba's avatar

That happened to me once after I thought it was all healed, and I wound up with a little cyst there. It started bleeding every time I tried to put the post in, and after a time I couldn’t put it in at all. I had to give up and let it close.

Welcome and welcome back, @Fly.

Fly's avatar

@mangeons; Hey, it’s my birthday, don’t make fun of my negligence!
@Randy; Thanks, I’ll check it out.
@Jeruba; That sounds painful! I hope that it doesn’t get nearly that bad for me.
Thanks for the re-welcome, by the way.

mangeons's avatar

@Fly I don’t care if it’s your birthday, it’s still your fault. ; )

whatthefluther's avatar

@Fly….Well, Happy Birthday! Good luck with the ear thing.

mangeons's avatar

@whatthefluther Lurve for “the ear thing”. I don’t know why, but that just cracked me up.

augustlan's avatar

Happy Birthday girly! <3

Fly's avatar

Haha, thanks. :*

Randy's avatar

And now that I know, I should add HAPPY BIRTHDAY! =)

Fly's avatar

@Randy, Why thank you! :)

Tink's avatar

Well Happy Birthday!
Are you related to @mangeons ?

augustlan's avatar

@Tink1113 They are sisters, and my daughters. :D

mangeons's avatar

Yes, she’s my big sister.

mangeons's avatar

But she’s my little sister when it comes to observation.

Fly's avatar

@Tink1113 Sisters, unfortunately. And contrary to @mangeons‘s LIE, I’m her older sister.

mangeons's avatar

…Unfortunately? ;~;

Fly's avatar

I mean that in the nicest of ways.

Tink's avatar

I didn’t know.
Well congrats, and you seem to have a wonderful mother : )

cak's avatar

@Fly Happy Birthday!

Fly's avatar

@Tink1113 I’m sure she’ll appreciate that. ;)
@cak Thanks!

mangeons's avatar

I-I don’t believe that. ;~;

::shun::

Fly's avatar

Oh, you know I was kidding. Haha, I didn’t mean to turn this into a “Happy Birthday” thread. XP

augustlan's avatar

[mod/mom says] Lets get back to the topic at hand folks.

Fly's avatar

Aye aye, community manager.

Tink's avatar

@augustlan Aww no fair they get to know what not to do

filmfann's avatar

I happen to have my daughter here, who is a professional body piercer, to answer your question. Her response:

It is most likely not a keloid, since a keloid is a rare genetic disposition. It is most likely hypotrophic scar tissue, which is very common with cartalige piercings on the ear as well as nostral piercings. That is often confused with keloids.
The hypotrophic scar tissue is scar tissue, and is most likely caused by a physical irritation. The most common mistake is from people twisting their piercing. Do not take out the piercing to clean it, or rotate the jewelry. This damages the fragile healing skin cells, and will create a build up of scar tissue. Thankfully, it’s not perminate.
You can get rid of it by figuring out what the irritation is (sleeping on it, twisting it, letting your dog lick you), and avoiding it. You can do sea-salt soaks, a quarter teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt and 8 ounces of bottled or distilled water. (the measurements are important. Too much sea salt will burn it) Soak piercing for 5 minutes twice a day. There can be other treatment options, but it is best to talk to your local friendly piercer, and there is great information on the association of professional piercers web site, SafePiercing.org

Strauss's avatar

@Fly, @mangeons, @Augustlan, (sings) “Its a family affair…It’s a family affair”

Response moderated (Spam)

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther