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Posted 12/6/2016 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
I've been very reluctant to take my piercings out, I don't have many and their only on the ears but I've been doing it slowly. I took my regular earrings out a couple of months ago and others a year or so ago and wasn't sure if it made a difference. Maybe a small difference?

Anyway, the only one I have left is a "conch" piercing, which is done through the thickest part of cartilage in your ear. It's my favourite and I love it, I know it sounds silly!

I finally took it out today and felt and pushed around the area, and felt intense pain!!! I never touch it so I wouldn't have noticed before. I compared it to my other ear, and no pain there.

Do you think that this is metal(s) leaching into my body? I've had this piercing for 4 years so it's not an infection, there's no sign of it anywhere... My ear's not red and there's no discharge. So I can definitely rule out infection.

I also do not remember what the stud is made out of. I only know that it is nickel free and only 30 or 40 dollars, so nothing fancy either.

I also just realised that my largest swollen lymph node is on my neck below the same ear.
Posted 12/6/2016 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Katie, I had never heard of any connection, so I did my usual thing of googling. All I could find was actually a site selling Lyme jewelry. I checked to see if they sold earrings and they do. Here's the metal in them:

.875" Aluminum charm with gloss finish
Hook made of surgical steel

That doesn't mean that metals can't leach in through the skin or that the hole in your ear attracts anything toxic, it just means they aren't aware of it either.

Maybe someone else can weigh in. Leave it off for a month or so and see what happens? Let us know.
Posted 12/6/2016 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks July, always ready with an answer even when you don't know a lot about something being asked :)!

I'm thinking of possibly looking for glass jewelry? Is there any harm in using glass?

Will do! I'm actually excited to see what happens...
Posted 12/6/2016 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Lol, that's my job here Katie. Mod's don't want anyone to be left hanging. Too much of that in other Lyme communities as it is!

Personally, I don't see a problem with surgical steel, but it's still a curious reaction you have there, with no external evidence of inflamation.

We do know borrelia love cartilage and that's whats in your outer ear, so maybe they're responsible? THere isn't any chance you got that piercing while you were infected, is there?
Posted 12/6/2016 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
There is a good chance that I got it while I was infected, in fact, I'd have to say almost 100%.

I will look into surgical steel as well!

And this is by far the best Lyme board I have come across, so much love and support!
Posted 12/6/2016 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
That may be your answer, then, about the timing.

It's a big concern when we do any kind of invasive procedure because we know it creates a hot spot for the Lyme & Co. to congregate and flare. I suppose even an ear piercing could have that affect under certain circumstances. There's also the possibility of unusual scar tissue build up and putting pressure on some nerves that might have lost their protective coating from the borrelia.

Are you familiar with manual Lymph node draining? you could concentrate on that side in particular, as well as trying a warm water epsom salt/ Hydrogen peroxide mix and soak either a cotton ball in it, or a wash cloth, and gently apply it to that part of your ear over a 15-20 min. spread.
Posted 12/6/2016 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
If the hole itself is inflamed, tea tree oil dabbed on with a cotton ball might get it clean. Tea Tree oil has powerful antiseptic properties and a great ability to treat wounds.

I have not heard of earring metal causing problems but I have not really looked into it either.
Posted 12/6/2016 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Listening and caring. I too have never heard of metal piercings causing issues, unless you are allergic. I have some allergies and can only tolerate a certain type of metal. Took mine out, so can't remember which one. My notion is though, when healing, the simpler the better - with EVERTHING. I was curious and did some research about the dangers of piercing... listovative.com/top-9-body-piercings-health-risks-problems-and-dangers/. if yours are in already - much of this, you don't need to worry about.
Oral piercings www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/oral-piercing#1
View of Dr.'s in emergency rooms abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117058&page=1
Hmm... I think... it is wise if you are coping with lyme to perhaps take them out for a year until you get your lyme infection under control... just my not that well educated thought...if it can result in infections, depending on where you are, and you are ALREADY dealing with an infection, why invite more.

Post Edited (multifacetedme) : 12/6/2016 4:36:12 PM (GMT-7)

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