Stretched ear problems..

«« Nipple piercing vs. the risk of mastitis    Deviated septum and piercings? »»

Monday March 9th, 2009 @ 2:49 PM

Filed under: Ear

Hullo!

I’ve recently been having problems with my stretched lobes that I can’t figure out. I haven’t stretched them in atleast 6 months nor have I changed the type of jewellery I’m using for over three year. (New sizes, obviously, but always the same type..) Yet they’re suddenly (Well, for the past month..) ithcy, red, flaking, gunky and leaking a clear fluid. :/ Sometimes, clear crust builds up too.

I did have a problem the last time I stretched.. One ear could handle going up a size while the other ear couldn’t. I left it in for the day hoping it would adjust but ended up taking them both out (I hate having uneven ears..) and going down a size as it was uncomfortable. It was a little red and swollen for a couple days but that was it..

I’m not alone, though, my husband hasn’t stretched or changed his jewellery in years yet his ear suddenly flared up a couple days ago and is now swollen, gunky and crusty. >_<

What is going on?? O_O (P.S We both wear silicone plugs.)

While a reaction to silicone isn’t incredibly likely, it is possible. And, the symptoms you describe certainly sound like your ears are reacting to something. Sensitivities and reactions typically build-up over time, meaning you may be fine with something for a while and then develop a reaction to it.

Having said that, it would be one heck of a coincidence if you and your husband developed a reaction to silicone at nearly the same time. So, this leads me to think maybe you are reacting to something else in your life. I would suggest thinking about any recent changes you’ve made to laundry detergents, fabric softeners, soaps, body washes, shampoos etc. Things such as changes in your diet could also be the culprit; or a change in your water source also. It seems that perhaps something new has been introduced into your little ecosystem and it’s causing you and your husband problems. It could be something that is reacting with/to the silicone, which might explain while you aren’t seeing a reaction anywhere else on your body.

If you figure it out, I would definitely like to know what the culprit was.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | Leave a comment | Trackback