Subject: rec.arts.bodyart: Piercing FAQ 6--Problems & Hazards
Date: 5 May 1995 08:36:24 GMT
Expires: Mon, 05 June 1995 07:00:00 GMT
Summary: This posting contains information about body piercing.
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Archive-name: bodyart/piercing-faq/part6
Posting-frequency: Monthly


The rec.arts.bodyart Piercing FAQ is broken up into 9 parts:
 1--Introduction
 2--Piercings & Jewelry
 3--Getting A New Pierce
 4--Professional Piercers
 5--Care Of A New Pierce
 6--Problems And Hazards  <---YOU ARE READING THIS FILE
 7--Healed Pierces
 8--Misc. Info
 9--References List


What's in this section:

 6--Problems And Hazards
    1. Keloid Scars
    2. Methods Of Treating Keloids


 1. KELOID SCARS-----------------

Keloid scars are raised blister- or pimple-like formations of primarily
collagen scar tissue which form in or around a piercing. Keloids may be
red, itchy, and inflamed, and may change size over time. Keloids seem to
occur most frequently in ear piercings (both lobe and cartilage) and
nostril piercings. Labret, nipple, and navel piercings have also been
known to be affected. There is no way to predict whether or not a keloid
scar will develop in a particular piercing - a first or second lobe
piercing may heal perfectly, but the next piercing will flare up into scar
tissue.  The piercing technique used (piercing gun, hollow piercing
needle, or even sewing needle) may or may not make a difference. 
different people have had different and vast experiences. 

Irritation of the piercing during healing, such as changing 
jewelry before the piercing has fully healed or pulling or 
tearing of the piercing, may increase the likelihood of scar 
tissue developing. With cartilage piercings, scar tissue is more 
likely to form if the ring is too small in diameter for the 
length of the piercing, or if the stud is too short, which is 
often the case of sleeper studs with butterfly clip backs 
installed with a piercing gun.

Bacterial infections can also irritate the piercing enough for a 
small lump of scar tissue to form.

 2. METHODS OF TREATING KELOIDS--------------

Removing the jewelry at the first signs of keloid formation and 
allowing the piercing to heal closed will often get rid of the 
keloid, or minimize its size.

Existing and healed keloid scars can be removed surgically, 
under local anesthetic, by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. 
Surgical removal of the scar tissue does not gaurantee that more 
scar tissue will not form.

Scar tissue may also be injected with cortisone or other 
steroids. A large or deep scar may require more than one 
session. The cortisone acts to shrink and break down the scar 
tissue. Possible side effects of cortisone injections are 
unwanted hair growth, yeast infections, and other steroid- 
related side effects.

Some people have reported diminished keloids with the 
application of tea tree oil, available in most health food and 
organic stores.

Vitamin E, applied during healing, may decrease the formation or 
chance of formation of scar tissue.

Several piercers have recommended the application of a paste of 
distilled water and aspirin, for 20 minutes twice a day.
Teresa Montoya (Superhog@aol.com), who works in her father's dental
office, reports that this method should be used with EXTREME CAUTION, as
aspirin can and will severely destroy oral tissue.  She recommends surgical
removal of oral keloids by a dentist/oral surgeon as the safest and
most successful method of oral scar tissue.

One dermatologist I've spoken to about keloids says that once a 
keloid begins to form, the presence of the jewelry will continue 
to irritate the area and the scar tissue will continue to grow 
until the jewelry is removed. He also said that cortisone or 
steroid injections with the jewelry in place may help shrink the 
keloid some, but that with jewelry present, the keloid will 
never completely disappear. Also, the injections tend not to 
work so well in cartilage layers. His advice is to remove the 
jewelry. He also said the tendency to form deep scar tissue is 
hereditary.


NEW PRODUCT FOR TREATING KELOIDS

Silicone Gel Sheeting, applied to the affected area for at least 12
hours a day for 2 to 3 months, washable and reusable.  Most affective when
the scars are first formed; found effective in about 60% of old scar cases.
The suitability for use on scars resulting from piercing is unknown.

(based on an article in Better Homes & Gardens, Jan 95, p.34)


3.  Keloid Treatment Recommendations  ------------------
    provided by Michaela Grey, Gauntlet, San Francisco
    edited by Anne Greenblatt



I have a progression chart for dealing with keloid/inflammation/abscess
problems. These are in order from  mildest to most extreme, last-ditch
efforts. They are NOT meant to be applied simultaneously.

Not every method will work for everyone, but I feel we as piercers should
offer our clients the mildest, majority-successful options - without
judgement as to what they do with it.

1.) Check jewelry gauge/diameter. 90% of the time, I find that changing
the jewelry produces almost immediate reduction in keloiding. Also, try
diluting the cleaning solution, especially Listerine.

2.) Hot compresses/soaks. approximately 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1 cup CLEAN hot
water, 2 to 3 times a day for 10 minutes. This is so simple and so incredibly
effective. 

3.) Herbal compress. A powerhouse!!! Especially effective with abscesses.
Check to insure that you aren't allergic to any of these herbs! 2 to 3
times a day, VERY hot, strong infusion, up to 30 minutes.
  . Echinacea
  . Goldenseal
  . Camomile, esp. blue
  . Comfrey
  . sea salt (optional)

4.)Hydrogen Peroxide-especially the gel form. Very effective with new
keloids, especially in tragii. Only a few times a week, though. 

5.) Aspirin. I don't like this method, myself, finding it to be quite
severe. However, used in 1/4 tablets or powdered, for only 15
minutes at a time, I have seen them to be very effective with oral
piercings. 

6.) Hydrocortisone Cream. Whoa! This is strong stuff! And many people,
particularly those with immunosuppression, won't get along with this
steroid.  But again, I have seen it work magic on some pretty extreme
inflammations. Caution and low dosages are the operative words. 

7.) Surgical removal. The end of the line. And the stress caused by the
surgery can induce growth of an even larger keloid. Your choice. 

As for the trimming of an oral keloid or scar - sure, if a medical
professional does it. I hear about way too many lancings and scar
cuttings-off being done by piercers.  Legally, this is tantamount to
injecting anesthetic or some other doctor-only behavior. 






--
                              * Ardvark *
                            Anne Greenblatt
               Piercing FAQ Manager for rec.arts.bodyart
          > Proprietor of Piercing Exquisite, Richmond, VA <
                NEW ADDRESS - ardvark@richmond.infi.net