Caring for your pierced ears

It is rare to meet a woman without pierced ears. In fact these days some new-borns are ear pierced even before they leave the hospital. Ears are one of the most delicate parts of the body and yet the most tampered with because they are the most appropriate for cosmetic reasons.

Tracy Kyazze of Ladies and men saloon in Ntinda says that ear piercing feels like getting an injection, it is brief and momentary painful.

"Before anyone thinks of piercing, the ear should be first cleaned with an alcohol swabs and allowed to dry. The ear piercing site is marked on each ear robe using a surgical marker pen. Then the piercing gun is placed on the mark and the trigger squeezed and then released slowly," she explains.

Dr. Assumpita Namyalo of Nyango medical centre says that whatever age you choose to have the procedure, ensure that it is done by someone with ear-piercing experience because they are so many risks associated with ear piercing.

"There is always a risk of infection each time skin is broken, the tools used should be sterile, even the piercing gun. Risk of infection increases with the part of the ear that is pierced. For instance, the risk of infection is relatively lower for piercings on the earlobe compared to piercings on the upper ear, due to poor blood supplying the area around the earlobe," said Namyalo.

Namyalo says that risk of infection can however be reduced by following after care instructions for newly pierced ear lobes if you get an itchy rash on the skin surrounding the pierced part, then you could be allergic to the metal the jewellery is made from.

"Jewellery made from nickel is most likely to cause allergic reactions, however, allergy to copper, silver and gold or any other metal may occur. If you react, change the metal and used small sticks/woods." notes Namyalo.

How to care for ears

Dr. Peter Mbidde a pharmacist at St Elizabeth Pharmacy advises people to avoid touching newly pierced ears with dirty hands to reduce the risks of infection.

"Use a clean cotton swab clipped in cooking oil to clean the new pierced part. After removing the piercing earrings clean the ear well and reinsert earrings that are skin friendly," said Mbidde.

Do not remove the earrings used to do the piercing before four or six weeks to allow healing. Removing earlier can cause infection and bruising also, the hole will close.

Dr. Samalie Uwineza, a General Doctor at Trinity Centre says that in case of infections, visit a doctor do not consult friends or neighbours or else you end up with keloids.

 "If you know you will not look after your ears well or for your daughter, do not bother piercing them. People with sensitive skins should also stay away," notes Uwineza.

How do you know you have an infection?

Dr. Uwineza says that if you see light discharge around the pierced area, swelling, wounds and pain around the pierced area, run to the hospital.