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Expert Q&A

	By David L. Fay, M.D. Family Physician Associate Director, Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program

My teenage daughter wants to get the top of her ear pierced. Can this cause infections and scarring?

Yes, piercing is designed to scar (except the tongue, which is a muscle). Although there is anecdotal evidence of significant problems with body piercing, and it is generally assumed that piercing of the ear cartilage carries a higher risk of complications than piercing of the earlobe, there are very few studies about body piercing, and none seem to indicate it is a large problem. One study found the incidence of complications related to body piercing (all sites) to be 17 percent. Other studies have reported earlobe piercing infection rates to be 10 to 25 percent. There are rare reports of serious complications, but these have been from tongue piercing. What is clear is that many more people are having their bodies modified through tattoos and piercing in the past decade, and the most significant risk factor for problems is having a friend or relative do the piercing or tattooing. The only recommendation that can be made on scientific grounds is to have the modification performed with sterilized/disposable instruments by a reputable establishment.

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