Ear or cartilage piercings are amongst the oldest rage acquired by youngsters worldwide. Almost every one especially teenagers till individuals of both the gender in the age up to 30 are keen to get pierced so as to look trendy and happening. Guys are catching up faster than girls in getting ear cartilage piercing. However, they need to be very particular to ensure the overall look comes out well.

People are no longer restricting to just one cartilage pierce on their ear lobes but a many along the cartilage portion of external ears to sport a unique fashion statement. It is more of a gesture to depict your individual fashion style and get a distinctive look out of the normal crowd. Even the guy cartilage piercing is getting popular these days.

To be more precise the piercing of upper portions of external ear is termed as “cartilage piercing” whilst that of the earlobe only is referred simply as “ear piercing”. Generally across the helix, daith, antitragus, tragus, conch or shell and rook and snug are the areas where pierced cartilage is done apart from the ear lobe. Also side and middle parts of the nostrils are subjected to it.

Cartilage Piercing Picture 1 : madmaxtattoo.com

Cartilage piercing is a complicated as compared to simple ear lobe piercing and is prone to higher risks of contacting cartilage piercing infection. Sometimes even bumps or scars can be left if the procedure is not performed properly. Treating cartilage contagions is very difficult as unlike other body parts blood supply to cartilage is lesser in amount. It usually takes 6 times more the time required by any other body piercing to heal completely. In severe cases of infections one might have to take recourse of antibiotic medications. Thus, it is always advisable to anyone who wants to experiment with cartilage piercing to go for some authentic and experienced source.

A wide range of materials are available today which can be used to adorn your new piercing. Most common metals to be used as cartilage piercing earrings are gold, silver, platinum and even stainless steel. Apart from this precious, semi-precious stones, crystal, diamonds studs are equally popular as earrings. Now a day beads and plastic creations are also in demand. The accessory might be in form of studs, hoops, rings, pins, drop dangling stuffs, cuffs etc. The size of the earring is determined by the ability of the ear lobe to hold it for long.

How to pierce your cartilage?

Innumerable methods are present for getting a piercing done, from “Help yourself” to specialized equipment’s like piercing guns or medically sterile needles. Most traditional cartilage piercing procedure is with the help of a sewing needle as the piercing object and a thread to draw through the hole.

This is not a safe means though because of lack of sterilization. It is henceforth advisable to go for fully sterilized piercing needles as using a piercing gun will enhance the risk of acquiring an infection. Guns are invariably used on several customers and may contain infection causing germs.

The basic steps to be followed for doing a piercing are :

• Upon starting the process, wash hands thoroughly with a good anti-bacterial cleanser.

• The piercing should be wetted with water.

• A smooth lather of a few drops of anti-bacterial cleanser is to be applied on the piercing with the help of a cotton bud.

• Make sure that the area to be pierced is free of any acne, and any brittle discharge. If present clean it with a cotton swab.

• The cleanser is to be kept on the piercing for at least 120 seconds before rotating the jewelry to and fro in the cartilage in a gentle motion.

• By doing this the lather will penetrate into the piercing in the cartilage.

• Finally wash the piercing with lots of water and leave it to dry on own. Avoid using a towel for drying.

• A gold or silver accessory can also be used to consummate the piercing so as to minimize the risk of infection.

Cartilage Piercing Healing

As mentioned earlier since the cartilage lack the normal supply of blood, it takes longer time to recuperate on piercings unlike other body parts. Aftercare is very important in preventing an infection and for cartilage piercing heal.

• Healing time ranges from 3-12 months but is more dependent on the magnitude of piercing.
• The area may irritate a bit but avoid touching it with unclean hands. After touching it also make sure to wash hands with antiseptic soaps consisting of chloroxylenol.
• Tea bags as warm bandages can be used to sooth the area.
• Never use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol pads and Betadiene to clean the piercing.
• Diluted tea tree oil can be used by dabbing with cotton for persistent sores.
• For bumps, mix lemon juice with crushed aspirin tablet’s powder and apply 2-3 times a day. This will facilitate the healing process via opening up of the blood vessels.
• Zinc and vitamin C are beneficial too in the healing process.
• If you want to change the jewelry wait until the piercing has recuperated completely.

The cartilage piercing healing stages are divided in two distinctive phases, the initial and the full healing phases. The former is the time when the skin tube or fistula is developed and in the latter phase the fistula gets fully developed and strengthens. The initial healing stage is critical and needs care otherwise scarring may take place. After the completion of the second phase the piercing is completely healed. There is a discharge of lymphatic fluid from the piercing and it serves as an antiseptic for grit and germs. This is not to be taken as pus. Upon formation of a yellowish crust it can be suggested that the piercing has begun to heal.

Cartilage Piercing Infections

A bad cartilage piercing or lack of proper aftercare will definitely lead to infected cartilage piercing. Mostly excruciating pain along with bleeding is common in case of an infection. Redness, bumps, swelling, discharge of pus is not ruled out as well. The most prominent causes of these can be use of unsterilized needles; frequent touching of the area without clean hands, wearing jewelry too tight to limit the flow of blood to the areas pierced rendering them susceptible to a contagion.

Cartilage Piercing Picture 2: imageshack.us

Make sure that the initial piercing is of 14K gold or silver and is lose enough for blood circulation. Diluting your jewelry in solution of alcohol thrice in the first following month of getting the pierce will also keep infections at bay. Also use of anti scarring creams can help you combat against minor infections.

Cartilage Piercing Risks

The risks involved may range from minor to major and it depends on how careful or careless you are. Allergic reactions, perichondritis, traumatization, keloids, scarring, bumps and traumatization are several potential risks involved with it. Allergies may be developed due to nickel in the accessory used; so always wear high quality jewelry. Tearing is possible if one wears dangling earrings during the process of healing only; so avoid it. Piercing the cartilage it self inflicts trauma to the area and renders it sensitive so it’s healing is as it is delayed.

By and large the act of piercing is followed globally but by being cautious and tactful one can avoid making it a painful experience. If you are afraid of trying it straight away then go for non-pierced ear accessories like ear screws, spring hoops, magnetic earrings, stick-on earrings and clip-on as well. Try not to blindly follow people, make sure you are comfortable with jewelry on your ears and can easily start off with a helix piercing. Give adequate time for your first piercing to heal fully before you plunge on to other, otherwise disaster is inevitable.

References:

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/61100/jewelry/ear_piercing.html

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/earpiercingaft_ttgl.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earring

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