Keloids
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Thursday October 23rd, 2008 @ 9:43 AM
Filed under: Ear
I had my ear pierced about a month ago, and I am developing keloids around almost every piercing. The keloid on the bottom is looking really bad. I originally was using castille soap and saline solution to clean it, but lately i’ve been using just saline soaks bout 2-6 times a day. They barely hurt. The rings look like they are tight against the ear, but they’re not very tight. I am switching them to barbells today because the ear is starting to swell slightly (not from blood, but from these keloids) and the rings are starting to get too tight. Any ideas? My piercer has said that he is not sure what is going on, because besides these keloids, everything else is fine.
Other pics:
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=qn00g9&s=4
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=4hqy45&s=4
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2vs0shh&s=4
Judging by those pictures I’d say that the jewellery is too small. The major problem I see here, though, is far too many not-that-easy-to-heal piercings in one sitting. As you are having issues I’d be inclined to say you’d be better off retiring three and concentrating on healing the remainder. The bloodiness of the bottom one has me concerned a little. Do you suffer from any kind of nickel allergy? Getting your piercer to switch out the jewellery is a definate must. Either for barbells or oversized rings. Ditch the soap and stick with seasalt soaks and stay off that side.
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13 Responses to “Keloids”
Something similar happened to my lip ring when I got it done with a CBR. IMO, which isn’t worth much, The ring has alot more room to move, and my irritate the piercing. I switched it to a stud, which lowered movement and it healed up shortly after. I don’t know if this is the same for ear piercings, because all I have is 2 streched lobes. Try putting in something that won’t move/get knocked around as much.
Jay on October 23rd, 2008 at 11:12 amWhy does everyone assume keloids?
But in my eyes, it’s just swelling, which is being exacerbated by several things.
1: the number of piercings performed at once,
2: the size/style of the jewellery - the movement of the rings will be causing further irritation,
3: overwashing
So the best idea would probably be to take out all but one or two, get them switched to sterile barbells or labret studs, and leaving them alone, with an SSS up to 3 times a day, maximum.
Coffee on October 23rd, 2008 at 11:47 amkeloids are scars that extend beyond the original scar. These are not keloids, but are more likely hypertrophic. Badly pierced and poor jewellery choice.
Philb on October 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 pmI’ve never had any sort of allergy to metals before (or any allergies for that matter). I have changed the jewelery to 1/2″ straight BB. Will the swelling/keloids/hypertrophicness go away?
JamesD on October 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 pmlooks like the tight rings have irritated it and caused it to migrate a bit. (the bottom-most piercing in the last pic.)
Clara on October 23rd, 2008 at 7:41 pmditto. it seems to be most definitely hypertrophic (which is way better news than keloids)
fireship on October 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm…all of the sudden i am a bit hesitant to ask any more questions if who’s answering them doesn’t know the difference between Keloids and Hypertrophic scarring.
NG on October 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 pmThose don’t look like keloids, and I’ll bet that the straight bars and saltwater soaks make a BIG difference for the better.
HereKittyKitty on October 24th, 2008 at 3:25 amMight I also point out the fact they’re doing sea salt soaks up to six times a day?
Dimruthien on October 24th, 2008 at 10:02 am#7.. of course I know the difference between keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring, I was merely focussing on the cause of the problem and subsequent action, from what I could see from the pictures that were submitted. If I spent every reply firstly correcting terminology, grammar, spelling etc then I would never get any work done.
To reiterate, the cause of the hypertrophic scarring as far as I can see is that the jewellery is too small, far too many piercings were done in one sitting.
My advice still stands, my only regret is that I didn’t change the title *rollseyes*
Tiff Badhairdo on October 24th, 2008 at 10:28 amJamesD.. the hypertrophic scarring will only subside once you identify the cause of irritation and nip it in the bud. The jewellery change should help but I still reckon you would be better off retiring some of the piercings to give the remainder a good chance of healing, and like someone mentioned - knock your soaks down to twice-daily.
Tiff Badhairdo on October 24th, 2008 at 10:51 amThe person who answered the question never said they were Keloids in her answer. Way to jump down her throat.
Jay on October 24th, 2008 at 12:49 pm#12, The person who asked the question referred to the bumps as keloids. Everyone was simply stating that they don’t look like keloids. Only #7 made a rude remark about the answer.
HereKittyKitty on October 25th, 2008 at 12:45 amLeave a Comment