Earlobes Problems

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Earlobe Problems

First-Aid for Rashes and Gashes

As body parts go, earlobes are low-maintenance, trouble-free equipment. So you probably don't give your earlobes much thought--until one accidentally tears or develops a crusty, itchy rash.

"Earrings can get caught on clothing, tangled in long hair, pulled out by hairbrushes or even, rarely, ripped through earlobes on extremely windy days," says Hilary E. Baldwin, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology and director of dermatologic surgery at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn.

FAST ACTION FOR A TORN LOBE

If you tear your earlobe, it may bleed quite profusely. But don't panic, says Dr. Baldwin. Here's what to do.

Put the pressure on. First, pinch the lobe with a clean tissue, towel or cloth and press firmly for a full five minutes. "No peeking. If you remove the pressure and the tissue too soon, you won't give the blood a chance to clot," explains Dr. Baldwin.

Repeat as needed. If, after five full minutes, you remove the tissue and your earlobe is still bleeding, try again, this time for ten minutes. Again, no peeking.

Cream the germs. Once the bleeding has stopped, keep the wound moist with an antibacterial ointment such as Polysporin.

SOOTHE THE IRRITATION

If your earlobes redden, itch or weep, the problem could be your earrings or an allergy to the antibacterial ointment that you used on your earlobes. Here's what to do.

Say no to nickel. "Earrings containing nickel can cause allergic reactions in many women," says Dr. Baldwin. "And most jewelry contains nickel. Some women even have trouble with 14 karat gold, because it may contain trace amounts of nickel. So it's best to stick with sterling silver or hypoallergenic stainless-steel posts. In fact," she adds, "if your skin is sensitive, any part of the earring that touches your ear should be nickel-free."

Swab your earrings. To prevent infections, Dr. Baldwin advises women to keep earrings as clean as possible: Swab the posts or fasteners with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol before each wear.

PROBLEM-FREE PIERCING

To minimize problems associated with newly pierced ears, follow these tips from Dr. Baldwin.

Reduce germs. To prevent infection, swab newly pierced earlobes with rubbing alcohol and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin at least once a day.

Avoid chunky or "chandelier" earrings. Freshly pierced lobes need time to toughen, so don't wear heavy earrings for at least two months after you've had your ears pierced, says Dr. Baldwin.

F.Y.I. to African-American Women: Stick to Clip-Ons Researchers don't know why, but melanin--a pigment-producing substance in the skin--seems to leave African-American women more prone to large, irregularly shaped scarlike skin growths known as keloids, says Hilary E. Baldwin, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology and director of dermatologic surgery at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. In her study Dr. Baldwin found that African-American women are 25 percent more likely to develop keloids than the general population. Since the female hormone estrogen seems to play a role in the production of keloids, Dr. Baldwin advises African-American women against having their ears pierced if they are: * Pregnant * Taking birth control pills * On estrogen replacement therapy Dr. Baldwin also advises African-American women who have had keloids in the past to avoid future piercings. "If you already have a keloid, there is a 50 percent chance that you'll develop another one," she says.

When To See A Doctor If you tear an earlobe and let it heal on its own, the hole will close. So if you want to wear pierced earrings again, see a doctor within 24 hours. Stitches can keep the hole open while it heals, says Hilary E. Baldwin, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology and director of dermatologic surgery at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. If the hole has closed, don't repierce it yourself--have a doctor do it. You should also see a doctor for a torn earlobe if: * Your earlobe feels hot to the touch. * Your earlobe is red or swollen. * You see pus. It may be infected. Also, Dr. Baldwin warns women who have developed elongated holes in their earlobes against wearing heavy earrings. "Those holes are more likely to tear," she says. "They're unsightly but relatively easy to fix. So get them fixed before they tear completely."

Just the lobe, please. "I advise women to pierce their lobes only, not the cartilage on the outer or upper ear," says Dr. Baldwin. "The cartilage is more likely to get infected; it has a limited blood supply, so fewer infection-fighting white blood cells reach the cartilage than reach the fleshier lobe. And if it does get infected, cartilage is more difficult to treat. Also, infected cartilage can easily become deformed--that is, floppy or misshapen."