In addition to familiar locations such as the earlobe (the part of the ear without cartilage), many young people have a hobby of piercing other locations on the ear, including piercing the ear cartilage. However, many cases of inflammation, infection, abscess...
Ms. L.A.T (20 years old, Kien Giang) had her ear cartilage pierced at a spa in Ho Chi Minh City. After 3 days, her ear was swollen and the piercing hole leaked green pus. Ms. T bought medicine herself but her ear became more and more swollen. Ms. T went to Tam Anh General Clinic in District 7 (Ho Chi Minh City) and was diagnosed with auricular cartilage inflammation and was hospitalized.
Currently, this clinic and Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City receive about 30 cases of auricular cartilage inflammation. Young women and teenagers make up the majority because this group often has their ears pierced, so the risk of getting the disease is higher.
Doctor Nguyen Tri Minh Tri - ENT Unit, Tam Anh General Clinic District 7 - said that auricular chondritis is an infection of the cartilage and perichondrium of the auricle. Ear piercing through the cartilage is one of the most common causes today.
Piercing punctures the skin - a protective barrier - allowing bacteria to enter. The infection both destroys cartilage and disrupts cartilage nutrition by accumulating fluid in the space between the perichondrium and the auricular cartilage.
To prevent inflammation of the ear cartilage, Dr. Tri recommends limiting complicated piercings and multiple piercings through the ear cartilage.
According to MSc. Dr. Le Thi Hieu - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Military Hospital 175, the unit also received and treated many cases of infection, abscess, and even necrosis of the auricle due to piercing and ear piercing. Auricular cartilage inflammation is a very common complication after improper ear piercing, not ensuring sterility.
In such cases, incision and drainage of the abscess, local hygiene along with systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs must be carried out quickly and actively. Otherwise, it will leave sequelae such as ear deformity, or worse, the infection spreading to other locations or organs.
Dr. Hieu recommends that people choose reputable piercing establishments with sterile instruments to minimize the risk of ear cartilage inflammation. If there are signs of suspected infection, go to a medical facility immediately for advice and treatment.
