Top Ear Piercing Tips

Although body piercing is becoming more popular today the practice has been used for thousands of years by people in many different countries. Ear piercing and other types of piercings can reflect a personal style statement, but they have long been viewed for their cultural significance as well. To many individuals this type of body art has great importance and choosing to have a body piercing is a decision that you should carefully consider before having it done.



Tips for Safe Ear Piercing



Here are some suggestions and tips that will make your ear piercing a safer and healthier event.



* Be certain when getting a piercing that the person performing the piercing practices good hygiene such as wearing unused, latex gloves over freshly washed hands.



* All of the equipment should be clean and properly sterilized beforehand.



* The surroundings should meet high levels for cleanliness and hygiene.



* Most needles that are used for piercing are disposable. These are far safer than non-disposable products. Be certain that the needles used for your ear piercing come from brand new, unopened packages.



* There should be bright lighting and basic first aid supplies at hand.



What type of Jewelry is Best for New Piercings?



18K gold studs are the best type of jewelry to use for newly pierced ears. For fresh piercings, avoid using gold or silver plated earrings. These metals can create infections and allergic reactions. If you have sensitivities to gold there are some nylon and Teflon ear studs that can be used until your ears have healed.



Types of Ear Piercings



There are several different ways of piercing one's ears. In addition to the more traditional lobe piercings the other aspects of an ear can also be used. The following are all names of ear piercing styles: Rook, Industrial, Daith, Tragus and Anti-Tragus, Helix, Conch, and Snug.



Risks Involved with Cartilage Piercing



Some ear piercings involve using the cartilage. While there are a number of interesting looks that can be experimented with it is necessary to exercise additional caution. Cartilage can be destroyed or damaged if these styles of ear piercing are not performed very carefully. It is also wise to be selective when choosing the jewelry that will be worn. Earrings or other ornamentation that is too large or too heavy can create additional problems for the cartilage in a person's ears.



Ear piercing is perhaps the most common and it is a quick and relatively painless process. Though piercings are done often in society, knowing the concerns, care and risks before the procedure is wise.



Risks



Here are some of the health risks that are associated with having your ears pierced.



* Infections are always a potential threat. There is a chance that you could contract a minor bacterial infection or you could even end up with a serious infection such as HIV or Hepatitis.



* Piercing guns can not be thoroughly sterilized and this type of equipment has a higher rate of transmitting infections.



* Bleeding is another risk for anyone who is going to have ear piercing performed.



* Improper technique and lack of experience can mean a higher risk of a botched piercing, including misalignment or nerve damage.



* Allergic reactions to the metal alloys that are used.



* Formation of keloid scars at the piercing site.



*Never share your earrings or ear studs with another person. Though we like to be able to share jewelry, sharing pierced earrings or other body jewelry can increase your chance of getting an infection from another. Even though you think you have cleaned the jewelry thoroughly there is still a chance of spreading germs and bacteria from one person to another.



Healing Time



When a person has their ear lobe pierced the healing process is fairly short. The area should be completely healed within a period of 6-8 weeks. Usually after the first 2 or 3 weeks most people have little, to no problems with these pierced sites. If you are considering having the cartilage of your ears pierced the healing process will be longer. It could take anywhere from 4 months to a year for the cartilage piercing to heal properly.



Preventing Infections after Ear Piercing



The most important factor is to keep the pierced sites clean. There are special cleaning products that can be used on these areas 3-4 times a day. You should not use rubbing alcohol or Hydrogen peroxide to clean fresh ear piercings because these solutions are too drying on the skin. Always wash your hands before touching your ear lobes and keep make-up and hair spray away from the sites until they are healed. The temporary studs need to be turned frequently without being removed from the ears so that the holes heal properly.



Signs of Infections



There are several signs that can alert you to an infection at the site of an ear piercing. These include:



* Pain



* Warmth



* Redness



* Swelling



* Bad Odor



* Drainage



* Itching or a Skin Rash near the Pierced Area



If you notice any of these problems you should always go to a health care professional and ask their advice. Chances are the infection is probably very minor, but it is best not to take any chances. An infection around the ear could spread very quickly and it should be addressed as soon as possible.





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No matter what type of ear piercing you choose, get great earrings and enjoy the experience