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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic
INFECTIONS FOLLOWING EAR-PIERCING ARE SURPRISINGLY COMMON
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 14 and got my upper ear pierced with a
gun five weeks ago. Now it’s red and swollen. I called a tattoo place
and told them about my ear, and they said, “Put in a hoop, and clean it
with soap,” and I did because he said it was an infection. I’m scared.
What should I do? — Saskatchewan
ANSWER: I recommend that you take the earring out immediately,
in case an allergic reaction or infection is involved. I also recommend
you see your physician to determine whether you need antibiotics, surgery
or another form of therapy.
The risk of infection from ear-piercing is higher than most people realize.
Breaking the skin during ear-piercing creates an easy way for infectious
agents to enter the body. Many infections go away by themselves without
causing prolonged discomfort or lasting damage. There might be mild redness,
swelling or soreness for a day or two until the body’s immune system clears
the infection.
However, some infections hang on for weeks or even months. During this
time, it’s possible for other strains of bacteria to join the initial
infection to create a superinfection that requires antibiotics and, occasionally,
surgical removal of the infected tissue. Abscesses (collections of pus)
or hematomas (collections of blood) in the ear may cause damage to the
ear cartilage and permanent ear deformities.
The earlier you can get to your doctor for an evaluation, the better.
Cartilage has no blood supply of its own. Its blood supply comes from
the perichondrium, a tissue that encases the cartilage. If fluid starts
to build up between the perichondrium and cartilage, the blood supply
to the cartilage is lost. When this happens, cells die, infection sets
in and the cartilage is replaced by scar tissue. The ear can become deformed.
In cases like this, patients sometimes do not recover the original shape
of the ear without corrective surgery.
Oren Friedman, M.D., Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Additional Information:
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Appointment
Information
More
Information on Complications of Ear Piercing
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a question that could affect my brother’s
future. He is about to marry a great gal (30 years old). They are great
together and so excited about getting married and starting a family. We
thought it was a little strange that she never drove a car, and then learned
the reason why: She has had epilepsy all her life. She says she hasn’t
had a seizure in years because doctors finally got her medication right.
She just got used to not driving and didn’t want the expense. Now I’m
worried that maybe they shouldn’t have children. Can women with epilepsy
become pregnant, and is it safe? — Cheyenne, Wyo.
ANSWER: Yes, women with epilepsy can and do become pregnant. The
vast majority of them — more than 90 percent — do so successfully if the
following conditions are met: 1) They work with an experienced physician
specializing in epilepsy to select one antiepileptic drug (not multiple
drugs) to manage seizures. 2) They take supplemental folic acid. 3) They
refrain from using alcohol and tobacco. 4) They seek high-risk obstetrical
care.
As a rule, a woman should continue antiepilepsy medications during pregnancy.
Ideally, women should work closely with their physicians before conception
to determine the best medicines for controlling seizures while causing
minimal side effects for the developing fetus and the breast-fed infant.
Her physician also needs to be alert for potential interactions between
antiepileptic drugs and a woman’s changing hormones during pregnancy.
Many women with epilepsy choose not to take their medications during pregnancy
due to concern about birth defects. We try to discourage this by educating
patients about the benefits of continuing medications. There is a slightly
higher incidence of birth defects in women who take drugs to control seizures:
4-6 percent vs. 2-3 percent among the general population. More information
on pre-pregnancy counseling can be found at 1-800-EFA-1000 or www.efa.org.
Gregory Cascino, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Additional Information:
Treatment of Epilepsy
Appointment
Information
More
Information on Epilepsy
More
Information on Pregnancy
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t
replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org,
or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite
114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.
© 2004 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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