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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Child With Infected Ear Lobes After Ear Piercing. Reddish Would With Crust. Need To Go To The Doctor?

My daughter has both ear lobes pierced (for over 2years), and tonight I noticed both look infected. Or just wounded? They were smashed a little too tight together I think, but they are both very red and swollen, and 1 of the backs of the earring was planted inside a cut looking wound, that would ooze cleanish yellow puss when a warm cloth and ear piercing antiseptic was applied; very upset. I did get it out tho without too much difficulty by using the front part of the earring to leverage its careful removal, but it looks like a red wound back there. A little dried yellow crust. Should I take her to a doctor? Or continue treating at home for a couple days and watch progress?
Tue, 19 Mar 2013
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
It is not uncommon to encounter infection of the lobe piercings. sometimes this comes about by skin allergy to the metallic ear rings and subsequent infection by repeated scratching. If she has signs of acute inflammation e.g. redness, discharge; She needs to be seen by an ENT fellow who will prescribe local antibiotics in the form of a cream as well as oral antibiotics. One more thing you need to keep in mind is that the piercings may close as the wound heals,so some form of a stent has to be in place, even a thread will do.
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Child With Infected Ear Lobes After Ear Piercing. Reddish Would With Crust. Need To Go To The Doctor?

It is not uncommon to encounter infection of the lobe piercings. sometimes this comes about by skin allergy to the metallic ear rings and subsequent infection by repeated scratching. If she has signs of acute inflammation e.g. redness, discharge; She needs to be seen by an ENT fellow who will prescribe local antibiotics in the form of a cream as well as oral antibiotics. One more thing you need to keep in mind is that the piercings may close as the wound heals,so some form of a stent has to be in place, even a thread will do.