Difference between revisions of "Pierce Your Own Cartilage"
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| − | Piercing the cartilage in your ear can be a painful process, and requires preparation and care in execution. While professionals can do it for a fee, it is still cheaper to do at home and if you have a high pain tolerance fairly simple and stress-free. Professionals often lack credentials or proper medical training for what is essentially a medical procedure. <ref> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24909453</ref> <ref>http://journals.lww.com/pec-online/Abstract/1999/06000/Ear_piercing_techniques_as_a_cause_of_auricular.7.aspx</ref> While your experience may be no better, it is not necessarily advantageous to seek a professional. Maintaining the piercing after requires basic hygiene at the wound site, and avoiding any irritants or corrosive substances at the ear. | + | Piercing the cartilage in your ear can be a painful process, and requires preparation and care in execution. While professionals can do it for a fee, it is still cheaper to do at home and if you have a high pain tolerance fairly simple and stress-free. Professionals often lack credentials or proper medical training for what is essentially a medical procedure. <ref name="rf16310"> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24909453</ref> <ref name="rf16311">http://journals.lww.com/pec-online/Abstract/1999/06000/Ear_piercing_techniques_as_a_cause_of_auricular.7.aspx</ref> While your experience may be no better, it is not necessarily advantageous to seek a professional. Maintaining the piercing after requires basic hygiene at the wound site, and avoiding any irritants or corrosive substances at the ear. |
[[Category:Self Piercing]] | [[Category:Self Piercing]] | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Preparing for Piercing=== | ===Preparing for Piercing=== | ||
| − | #Acquire materials and choose your piercing site carefully. There are significant health risks involved in cartilaginous piercings and minor complications are frequently reported. There are often no minimum qualifications for one to practice body piercing, which represents a serious health concern. <ref> http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196070998900035</ref> The health risks associated with cartilaginous piercing are not significantly higher than with a lower piercing of the fatty lobe tissue. | + | #Acquire materials and choose your piercing site carefully. There are significant health risks involved in cartilaginous piercings and minor complications are frequently reported. There are often no minimum qualifications for one to practice body piercing, which represents a serious health concern. <ref name="rf16312"> http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196070998900035</ref> The health risks associated with cartilaginous piercing are not significantly higher than with a lower piercing of the fatty lobe tissue. |
#Sterilize your ear and equipment. Purchasing sterilized, sealed piercing needles is key. Your jewelry should not be made of nickel or any metal you may have an allergic reaction to, and should be a gauge smaller than the hollow piercing needle. | #Sterilize your ear and equipment. Purchasing sterilized, sealed piercing needles is key. Your jewelry should not be made of nickel or any metal you may have an allergic reaction to, and should be a gauge smaller than the hollow piercing needle. | ||
#Use an autoclave to ensure absolutely sterile materials. You can use a pressure cooker on objects to achieve a similar effect, by setting a high pressure and temperature with water in the cooker so as to steam disinfect the items to be used. Soaking in a disinfectant like alcohol or dilute bleach will sterilize the materials, though not as effectively. | #Use an autoclave to ensure absolutely sterile materials. You can use a pressure cooker on objects to achieve a similar effect, by setting a high pressure and temperature with water in the cooker so as to steam disinfect the items to be used. Soaking in a disinfectant like alcohol or dilute bleach will sterilize the materials, though not as effectively. | ||
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===Maintaining the Piercing=== | ===Maintaining the Piercing=== | ||
#Wash with a sterile saline solution twice a day. Don't pick at any crust or scabs that will form. It can take up to a year for the wound to heal completely. Poor blood flow in the area of the upper cartilage of the ear keeps the risk of infection high and the rate of healing low during the entire process. | #Wash with a sterile saline solution twice a day. Don't pick at any crust or scabs that will form. It can take up to a year for the wound to heal completely. Poor blood flow in the area of the upper cartilage of the ear keeps the risk of infection high and the rate of healing low during the entire process. | ||
| − | #Keep an eye on the piercing site. While keloids, deposits of skin, and some malformation from the pierced cartilage are expected, redness, swelling, heat, or oozing from the wound that persists for days is not. See a doctor if symptoms last as long as a week, as courses of antibiotics and surgical intervention may be required, and average hospital stays are over two days.<ref>http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00405-014-3346-2</ref> | + | #Keep an eye on the piercing site. While keloids, deposits of skin, and some malformation from the pierced cartilage are expected, redness, swelling, heat, or oozing from the wound that persists for days is not. See a doctor if symptoms last as long as a week, as courses of antibiotics and surgical intervention may be required, and average hospital stays are over two days.<ref name="rf16313">http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00405-014-3346-2</ref> |
#Avoid using sterilizing or antimicrobial solutions like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to continue cleaning the wound site. These solutions kill living cells and can damage the capillaries and healing tissue in the ear. Keeping the site clear of foreign debris and clean will help significantly reduce the risk of infection. | #Avoid using sterilizing or antimicrobial solutions like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to continue cleaning the wound site. These solutions kill living cells and can damage the capillaries and healing tissue in the ear. Keeping the site clear of foreign debris and clean will help significantly reduce the risk of infection. | ||
| − | #Anticipate cartilage fracture, whether a piercing gun is used or a piercing needle is administered by hand. However, for a number of piercings of specific structures of the ear a piercing gun cannot find adequate purchase, as they are designed around use on the earlobe. <ref>http://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748-6815%2807%2900334-8/abstract</ref> Seek immediate medical attention if ear deformities begin appearing. | + | #Anticipate cartilage fracture, whether a piercing gun is used or a piercing needle is administered by hand. However, for a number of piercings of specific structures of the ear a piercing gun cannot find adequate purchase, as they are designed around use on the earlobe. <ref name="rf16314">http://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748-6815%2807%2900334-8/abstract</ref> Seek immediate medical attention if ear deformities begin appearing. |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
