EAR, PIERCED

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR PIERCED EAR

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You feel weak or very sick
• Earring has torn completely through the ear lobe
• Skin around the piercing site is split open or gaping
• Bleeding at the piercing site has not stopped after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• Part of earring (clasp) is stuck inside the earlobe
• Entire ear is red or swollen
• Ear pain and you have a fever

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think you need to be seen
• Redness has spread beyond the earring site
• Minor tear in your earlobe and your last tetanus booster was over 10 years ago

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• Swollen lymph node (in front of or behind earlobe)
• Symptoms not improving after 3 days of treatment at with antibiotic ointment
• Small tear in earlobe from earring injury and no tetanus booster > 10 years
• Large thick scar has developed at the earring site during the last couple months

Self Care at Home If

• Localized redness and tenderness only at the earring site, and you don't think you need to be seen
• Small amount of discharge at earring site, and you don't think you need to be seen
• Small tear in earlobe from earring injury, and you don't think you need to be seen

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

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