Ear Gauge Infections

Ear Gauge Infections<br /><br />Stretching earlobes dates back as far as King Tutankhamen from Egypt, according to the information website Brimstone Organics. Modifying the size of earlobes portrays a different meaning to each wearer. Religious journeys, rites of passage, social caste placement and beauty are interpretations associated with stretched ears. The process of stretching ears consists of waiting periods after each size, or gauge, of stretching material is inserted, and attention to cleaning the earlobe and jewelry.<br /><br />Discounted and cheap jewelry from manufacturers outside of the body piercing industry sell coated jewelry, which is marketed as titanium or niobium. True titanium and niobium achieve color by an electrical process. Coated jewelry contains a high level of nickel content and the coating flakes off into the stretched ear piercing after continuous wear and cleaning, causing irritation to the piercing. When an inappropriate tool is used for stretching ears, such as an ink pen, tape or straw, a bacterial infection, such as staphylococci, can occur. Taper pins sterilized in an autoclave are the safest tools to use to avoid a bacterial infection. Dirty hands and saliva can cause an infection to develop in any ear piercing. Taking jewelry out during an infection is an unsafe practice. Taking jewelry out while an infection is healing is dangerous and can cause the piercing opening to close and trap the infection inside. Once the infection cannot drain, an abscess may develop. Purchasing earrings only from a professional piercing shop should ensure that an allergic reaction will not occur. A professional should only perform a stretching or tapering procedure with sterile instruments. Keeping hands away from the stretched ear piercings and only touching the piercings while cleaning them when the hands are laden with soap will prevent unnecessary bacteria from entering the piercing. Changing a pillowcase frequently and sanitizing earphones, headsets and cell phones will help to prevent bacterial contamination.