The ear is the most common body-piercing site in both men and women. One survey indicates that about 80% of American women have pierced ears. Although there are few serious risks associated with ear piercing, the incidence of complications is quite high. The complication rate is highest when done by untrained personnel and lowest when performed by trained and experienced operators.

Complications
Complications of ear piercing include local infection, earrings that become imbedded, swelling of the lymph nodes, swelling and bruising, excessive scar formation, skin irritation from the metal used in the earrings nickel perichrondritis. An infection can develop and spread to other areas of the body. So be alert for an unusual fever.

The earring can cut and cause deformites in the the ear lobe. This is most common during fights or other altercations, but can occur when children catch earrings on cribs. Use of the ear-piercing gun can result in earrings which become deeply imbedded in the earlobe.
Piercing can transmit any virus, including hepatitis and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This can be prevented by proper use of disposable equipment or by appropriately sterilizing reusable equipment.

Infection
Localized infection is seen as a red, swollen, tender ear or earlobe. The earlobe may drain clear fluid or pus and you may have swollen and tender lymph nodes in the area.

Treatment of localized infection is warm soaks and removal of the earring. The area can be cleansed two or three times per day with disinfectant solution and topical antibiotics such as neosporin Occasionaly oral antibiotics may be needed if the infection has spread. Increased rates of serious complications occur when the helix is pierced.

Diseases can be transmitted by use of inadequately sterilized equipment. Piercing-related viral hepatitis with liver damage and death has been reported. Obviously, both hepatitis and HIV virus can be transmitted in this fashion.

Preventing Complications
Ears should be pierced with proper sterile technique. Piercing guns that fire a sharp stud straight into a butterfly should be avoided aince guns cannot be adequately sterilized and are associated with a higher incidence of embedded earrings.

The earlobe should be cleaned twice daily with an antiseptic solution until the wound has completely healed (about 2 months) For the first month, following cleansing of the earlobe, the earring should be rotated to free any adhesions (sticking to the skin).

The earring should be removed if there is pain, discharge, swelling, or redness noted at the site of the piercing.