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Partial Tear Out
This refers to a traumatic tear as compared to a sagging of
the piercing which is quite benign.
Tears may tend to bleed profusely. Even so, do not touch the
ear until you have cleaned your hands and are in a clean environment.
The bleeding will actually help wash out the wound.
If the earring has remained in the ear, use cutting pliers or
nail clippers to cut the earwire off of the earring, leaving
about 1/8 inch on either side. DO NOT pull
the earwire out of the ear as this may contaminate the wound. Next, swab the surface of
the ear with alcohol cleaning as close to the wound as possible
without letting it enter the wound. Wrap a gauze pad around the
lobe and apply pressure. This should be forceful enough to stop
the bleeding but you should not crush the ear. Keep pressure on
for at least 5 minutes, or until bleeding stops.
If the bleeding does not slow down,
seek medical help. You are best off at this stage dealing with
your general practitioner rather then a hospital ER room, as
most ER techs will attempt to stitch the lobe and may make
correction later more difficult.
Once the wound has stopped bleeding, inspect the damage. If
the tear is minor, you may be ok. If you still have the piece of
earwire in the ear, you may keep the piercing open with
it. Allow it to heal uncovered,
but avoid anything that may contaminate the wound. Keep an eye
on it for several days. If there are any signs of infection, see
your doctor at once.
If the damage is moderate to major, see your doctor. He will
inspect the wound and may be able to recommend a good cosmetic surgeon.
If you decide to let it heal on it's own, and have not left
the earwire in, wait at least a
month before re-piercing. It is best to avoid the scar
tissue when re-piercing.
If you left the earwire in, treat it in the same way you
would a new piercing. |
Total Tear Out
This refers to a complete tear out where the earring has
actually split open the bottom of the earlobe.
This type of tear will bleed profusely. Even so, do not touch
the ear until you have cleaned your hands and are in a clean environment.
The bleeding will actually help wash out the wound.
There are several larger capillaries in the earlobe, if they
have been torn, a surprising amount of bleeding may occur.
Wipe the wound in a downward motion with a clean, dry gauze
pad, then try to align the edges at the base of the lobe. Wrap a
gauze pad around the lobe and apply pressure. This should be forceful
enough to stop the bleeding but you should not crush the ear.
Keep pressure on for at least 5 minutes, or until bleeding
stops.
If the bleeding does not slow down,
seek medical help. You are best off at this stage dealing with
your general practitioner rather then a hospital ER room, as
most ER techs will attempt to stitch the lobe and may make
correction later more difficult.
If possible, cut a small strip of
adhesive tape, or a section of band-aid about 1/8 inch (3mm)
wide, by about 3/4 inch (20mm) long. Align the bottom of the
earlobe and run this strip carefully along the base of the lobe
to help keep it aligned. These steps in the early hours of the
event will help offset a lot of cosmetic work that may have to
be done later.
Loosely dress the lobe in a gauze pad
and consult your general practitioner as soon as practical. Avoid
having the lobe stitched unless it is done by a cosmetic surgeon. If
you are the type that refuses medical treatment, keep an eye on
the would looking for any signs of infection. Should you see
any, SEEK MEDICAL HELP. |