Ear piercing

Ear piercing - portrait from the Body Art Exhibition held at the Australian Museum in 2000.

How to Heal Bump on Cartilage Piercing?

Usually bumps on cartilage piercing are formed during the healing process. Many people observed bumps on cartilage piercing during the healing process, even after it healed completely. Boil is the most common type of piercing that is noticed during the healing time, that is immediately after piercing. These boils are very painful and may secrete pus or blood as well.

If a person exerts more pressure on the piercing while sleeping or by wearing an inappropriate jewelry, bump may develop near the piercing. This is referred to as hypotrophic scarring. It has the color of your skin and is not much painful. However, the most severe type of bump on cartilage piercing is keloid. Keloids are scarred tissues that are formed because of too much tissue repair. Although anyone may get a keloid on cartilage piercing, dark skinned people, particularly African-Americans are more susceptible to it. These keloids may be detected easily as they are darker than the actual skin color.

As you identify the type of bump on cartilage piercing, it is easy to find the treatment for it. Infected bumps on cartilage piercing such as hypotrophic scarring and boils may be treated using some home remedies. Following are some simple home remedies for treating cartilage piercing bumps.

• Sea salt soaks: This is the best way to get rid of bump on cartilage piercing. In a clean bowl, take 8 ounces of warm water and add ¼ tablespoon of sea salt. After dissolving the salt completely, taste it with your finger. Make sure that it is not saltier than your tears. After this, you may either soak the cotton ball in it and apply it on the piercing or just pour solution on it. Let sea salt water solution to remain on the bump for about 5 – 10 minutes and later rinse properly to remove excess salt. This must be repeated once or twice a day to get rid of bumps. Crusts may form if you use this remedy on boils. In such case, ensure that you remove crusts using cotton swabs.
• Chamomile Tea: Though salt soaks are effective in treating bumps on cartilage piercing behind nose or ear, sometimes, some bumps may be stubborn. In such cases, you can also use chamomile tea to treat bumps. For this, you must soak tea bags in hot water for 1 – 2 minutes and then place it over the piercing. Repeat the process when the chamomile tea bag becomes cold. This must be done for about 10 – 15 minutes. This compress must be practiced once or twice a day to achieve best results.
• Aspirin: This is another remedy to treat cartilage piercing bumps. Take an aspirin tablet and crush it. Place the powder in a clean bowl and add little amount of water. Mix it well until it becomes paste. Apply this mixture on the bumps and also on the surrounding area. This must be practiced twice or thrice a day to reduce the bump on cartilage piercing. This is so because skin absorbs aspirin thoroughly and opens up the blood vessels, subsequently enhances the process of healing.

Besides the home remedies for treating bump on cartilage piercing, sometimes you can also treat bumps by changing the jewelry. However, one should not change the jewelry of cartilage piercing by oneself if it is infected. Always consult the piercer or the physician while changing the jewelry. Remember that keloids cannot be treated with the above home remedies. Most of the times, surgery is required to remove the keloids. Thus, if you think the bump on the cartilage piercing is keloid, it is must to consult the physician immediately to recommend you about the appropriate treatments.

Symptoms and Care of Cartilage Piercing Infection

Symptoms:

• You may experience severe pain, redness and swelling in and around the piercing site.
• Often, very often, a white fluid drains out of piercing. This must not be mistaken with pus, because it is lymphatic fluid that acts like a cleanser for dirt and bacteria.
• After a few days, yellowish crust forms, indicating that the piercing has started healing. However, it cannot be with every piercing.
• If proper care is not taken while piercing, it can lead to infections or if you do not take proper aftercare instructions, infections may develop.
• Infections are characterized with pus formation, bleeding, throbbing pain and bumps on piercing. Sometimes, piercing may produce foul smell.

Care:
A professional piercer must advise a person about proper piercing care. He must execute some precautionary steps while piercing. He must use sterilized instruments and wear clean gloves while piercing. Apart from these, a person who gets his ear pierced must follow the following steps to avoid cartilage infection.

• Do not touch cartilage piercing with the naked hands. Dirty hands is the access point for bacteria to enter the piercing.
• Use a disinfectant soap to wash the hands properly.
• Never play with piercing jewelry. Fingering the piercing jewelry with dirty hands cause infection.
• While putting on clothes, take proper care of piercing.
• Use an antiseptic lotion to clean the piercing twice a day, till it heals completely. You can soak jewelry in alcohol solution for disinfecting it.
• Never apply hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil or alcohol directly on piercing.
• Don’t change the jewelry frequently in the initial months.
• Always keep your hair clean and do not keep the public telephone receiver on the ear directly.

Cartilage Piercing Guides

Procedure of Cartilage Piercing

• Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap
• Wet the piercing with water
• After putting few drops of anti-bacterial soap on the piercing, work them into a lather using a cotton bud.
• Loosen any crusted discharge and remove it from the jewelry and skin using a cotton bud.
• Leave the antibacterial soap on the piercing for 2 minutes while rotating the jewelry back and forth. This helps the disinfectant penetrate the piercing.
• Rinse the piercing with water, and air dry it. Do not try to dry with a towel, because it may carry bacteria and cause infection.

Cartilage Piercing Healing

• Generally it takes 3-12 months of time for healing, depending on the extent of piercing
• Don’t touch your cartilage piercings with unwashed hands. Also, don’t let others touch till it is completely healed.
• Clean your piercing only once daily, till the piercing is completely healed.
• Using antibacterial soap, which contains chloroxylenol or triclosan, to clean your cartilage piercing
• Wash and dry you hair before the piercing, and also later after the piercing.
• Don’t use Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol swabs or tea tree oil to clean your cartilage piercing.
• Sometimes an infection may cause pain, redness and unusual discharge. In such cases consult your physician for the required treatment.
• Vitamin C and Zinc can help in healing the infections.
• Don’t change the jewelry till the piercing is healed.

Detriments of cartilage piercing
The primary detriments of cartilage piercing are:

• Infection: The infection happens from different sources. The person might get infection from unhygienic earrings and from the environment you choose for piercing.
• Scarring: Scarring happen when tissues in the piercing area are affected. The person might get a ridge or a bump on the area when it is done wrongly.

Risk involved in cartilage gun
The person who is getting a cartilage piercing might not prefer a cartilage gun to pierce the ear. This might take a long time to heal. It might also create prolonged pain and scarring. This happens because the guns are not meant to pierce the cartilage. So it might upset the cartilage and create difficulties.

Cartilage Piercing Jewelry Informations

Here are the most popular cartilage piercing jewelry options:

. Antitragus
. Conch, also popular as Shell piercing
. Daith
. Helix and Top Ear
. Rook and Snug
. Tragus
. Vertical Lobe

Suitable Types for Cartilage Piercing Jewelry:

Captured bead rings
These are cheaper than barbells. To remove or replace the bead you need special pilers, especially in case of thicker gauge jewelry. You are advised to avoid sleepers with sharp edges because the joint may damage your piercing.

Barbells
It’s better to go for internally threaded barbells. If the bar is externally threaded, make sure the threads are not exposed.

Studs
Studs are a better choice providing there is sufficient room to expose the piercing when cleaning.

-Suitable Sizes for Cartilage Piercing:
Use only 18 gauge or heavier jewelry. Smaller gauges migrate out through your skin.

-Suitable Materials for cartilage piercing:
. Surgical Stainless Steel, titanium, 18 carat gold, niobium, PTFE

. Don’t use 9ct gold, silver or gold plated jewelry for cartilage piercing, because these can stain the tissues permanently. Before the piercing is healed the gold plating will wear off the jewelry.

When to Change Cartilage Piercing Jewelry? If you change your jewelry during the healing period, you may damage your piercing. You have to take the help of a professional piercer, if you change the jewelry before healing. After the piercing is healed, you can do it by yourself.

Types of Ear Piercings

Following are some types of ear piercings:

1. Anti-Tragus Piercing: This is a raised cartilage fold which sits on outer side of ear, just above the ear lobe and opposite to tragus. Most people cannot try anti tragus piercing because of its size. It is very small, but one can use micro jewelry particularly ball closure rings. It takes 8 – 16 weeks to heal.
2. Helix Piercing: This is second most common ear piercing type. This is located on upper cartilage. This piercing can be down either with a cuff style, a hoop or a stud. Healing time for this piercing type is 6 – 8 months.
3. Auricle Piercing: Auricle piercing is the cartilage rim which rubs along the edge/side of outer part of ear. This is the most common ear piercing type. Ball closure rings suit this best. Healing time for auricle piercing is 2 – 3 weeks.
4. Conch Piercing: Conch is the largest cartilage which comprises of the back side of ear. Ball closure rings with larger diameter suit this type of piercing. You may go in outer conch piercings and inner conch piercings. It takes 8 – 16 weeks to heal completely.
5. Daith Piercing: Daith is the crux of helix. This is the cartilage fold which sits under the rook and very close to ear canal. You must choose micro ball closure rings for this type of piercing. Daith piercing needs 8 – 16 weeks to heal.
6. Industrial Piercing: This is the most craziest type of ear piercing. Industrial piercings is 2 or more separate rim piercings which are joined by a barbell. It is utmost important to take care of industrial piercing. It takes 8 – 16 weeks to heal this piercings.
7. Orbital Piercings: Orbital piercings is a type of piercing which enters and exits the same ear part. Actually it is made up of 2 piercing holes, with 1 ball closure ring passing through both the piercings. This can be placed anywhere in the ear, but often they are located in ear lobe or helix. Healing time for orbital piercing is 8 – 16 weeks.
8. Lobe Piercing: this is another most common type of ear piercing. Every girl might have done this in their childhood. This can be the best type of ear piercing for men too. Ear lobe is is the fleshy tissue which hangs at the bottom of your ear. Blood circulation is more in this part. While going for lobe piercing, ensure that piercing is at the centre of the lobe. Any sort of accessories suit this type of piercing. Healing time for this piercing is 6 – 10 weeks.
9. Pinna Piercing: Pinna piercing is located on the rim of the cartilage along the upper part of the ear. One of the most popular pinna piercing type is the forward pinna piercing. It takes 8 – 16 weeks to heal pinna piercing.
10. Rook Piercing: Rook is the upper most fold of the cartilage, below the helix. Rook piercing needs micro jewelry as the fold is very small. It needs 8 – 16 weeks to heal completely.
11. Scaffold Piercing: In this type of piercing, two or more separate rims are joined by one barbell. Healing time for scaffold piercing is 8 – 16 weeks.
12. Snug Piercing: This is situated at the inner cartilage, half way f\down from the external rim of the ear and above the anti tragus. Micro jewelry particularly curved barbells are preferred for this snug piercing. It takes about 8 – 16 weeks to heal.
13. Tragus Piercing: Tragus is the toughest fold of cartilage which sticks out away from the ear. You can choose vertical tragus piercing also. It takes 8 – 16 weeks for healing tragus piercing.
14. Transverse Lobe Piercing: This type of piercing includes transverse piercing on the ear lobe together with a curved barbell. 6 – 10 weeks are required for healing transverse lobe piercing.
15. Dermal Punch: Usually it is done at the back of the ear. Actually, it punches out a ear piece from piercing. They are located at the flat area of the ear. This piercing is more popular with men compared with women. It takes 6 – 10 weeks to heal completely.
16. Ear weaving: This is the most sexiest type of ear piercing. It involves the usage f helical accessories along the pinna. Ear weaving needs 8 – 16 weeks to heal.

Tips Before Getting a Ear Piercing

The following are a few pointers that will help you avoid infections due to ear piercings.

• Make sure that you do not get your ear pierced when you are ill and make sure that you get a piercing done when you are healthy mentally and physically.
• Make sure that you maintain a good and healthy hygiene before and after the procedure.
• Eat before getting your ear pierced as this can cause dizziness and nausea during the procedure in some people.

Famous Types of Ear Piercings for Mens

The following are a few common and famous types of ear piercings for men.

Ear Lobe Piercing: Men going for a piercing for the very first time should opt for an ear lobe piercing as this is the best option. You can sport a stud or a barbell on the ear lobe piercing to make it look more attractive.

Helix Piercing: Make sure that the piercer uses a gun to pierce your ear and this is done on the helix which is considered as the upper cartilage. Cuffs or hoop accessories can be sported along with this piercing.

Industrial Piercing: This is the most common type of ear piercing sported by most of them and it requires lots of care and attention. It may take around a year for the piercing to heal completely. Barbells and claws are the common types of jewelry sported for this piercing.

Rook Piercing: This is done by piercing the cartilage present between the inner and outer conch. Cartilage is usually very thick and is difficult to pierce and may cause severe pain during and after the procedure. It may take around a year for the piercing to heal. The most common types of jewelry sported for this piercing are captive bead rings.

Daith Piercing: This piercing is a little complicated and may cause severe pain during the procedure. It is usually done on the inner rim of ear cartilage. Captive beads are usually sported on this piercing.

Tragus Piercing: This piercing is usually sported on the cartilage flap present on the ear and it gives you an awesome look. Spirals and captive beads are usually preferred by many men.
Anti-Tragus Piercing: This is sported on the inner cartilage present in the ear. Anti-tragus ear piercing usually take a very less time to heal. Rings and ball closure looks cool on this piercing.
Conch Piercing: This piercing is done in two different types and they are – inner and outer conch. These piercings also take very less time to heal and barbells and ball closure rings are usually sported for this piercing.

Ready for a Cartilage Piercing

Here we explain you how cartilage piercing is done

• Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap
• Wet the piercing with water
• After putting few drops of anti-bacterial soap on the piercing, work them into a lather using a cotton bud.
• Loosen any crusted discharge and remove it from the jewelry and skin using a cotton bud.
• Leave the antibacterial soap on the piercing for 2 minutes while rotating the jewelry back and forth. This helps the disinfectant penetrate the piercing.
• Rinse the piercing with water, and air dry it. Do not try to dry with a towel, because it may carry bacteria and cause infection.

Cartilage Piercing Healing

Here are some important facts and tips about the healing of cartilage piercing.

• Generally it takes 3-12 months of time for healing, depending on the extent of piercing.
• Don’t touch your cartilage piercings with unwashed hands. Also, don’t let others touch till it is completely healed.
• Clean your piercing only once daily, till the piercing is completely healed.
• Using antibacterial soap, which contains chloroxylenol or triclosan, to clean your cartilage piercing.
• Wash and dry you hair before the piercing, and also later after the piercing.
• Don’t use Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol swabs or tea tree oil to clean your cartilage piercing.
• Sometimes an infection may cause pain, redness and unusual discharge. In such cases consult your physician for the required treatment.
• Vitamin C and Zinc can help in healing the infections.
• Don’t change the jewelry till the piercing is healed.

Detriments of cartilage piercing

The primary detriments of cartilage piercing are:

1. Infection
2. Scarring

1. Infection: The infection happens from different sources. The person might get infection from unhygienic earrings and from the environment you choose for piercing.

2. Scarring: Scarring happen when tissues in the piercing area are affected. The person might get a ridge or a bump on the area when it is done wrongly.

Risk involved in cartilage gun

The person who is getting a cartilage piercing might not prefer a cartilage gun to pierce the ear. This might take a long time to heal. It might also create prolonged pain and scarring. This happens because the guns are not meant to pierce the cartilage. So it might upset the cartilage and create difficulties.

Ear Piercing Trend

Ear Piercing

With the advent of the earring dating back to 2500 B.C., according to various sources, there's no denying this body adornment has endured many trends and styles. Today, earring fashions are as varied as their history and may be may be worn by both women and men.

For such a small item, the earring has wielded a dramatic influence through the centuries and in countless cultures. Ancient Persian carvings reveal soldiers donning earrings. In Egypt, ear ornaments, such as “earplugs” became fashionable some 1,500 years ago and were worn even by King Tutankhamen. Wealthy women of the Roman Empire used earrings to denote status. And the Greeks were known for decorating their statues of revered soldiers with earrings. Sapphires, emeralds and aquamarines were used regularly to adorn the earring by the 2nd century A.D.

During the Byzantine period, however, the earring took a backburner in favor of elaborate headdresses and hairstyles. This look of the Middle Ages caused earrings to become nearly nonexistent. Then, in 16th-century Italy, a change in fashions brought about the return of the earring when high-collar dress faded out of style and women began to wear their hair up and away from the face. It took France and England another century before changes in elaborate neck costuming made way for the earring. After its popularity returned, attention to earring design lasted for two centuries. Created from gold and silver, the girandole earring featured three pear-shaped, gem-laden drops on a hook. One drawback - the weight of the earrings was known to cause elongated ear lobes.