News Health & Medicine

Ear piercings cause illness, disfigurement

By Nathan Seppa

- More than 2 years ago

Upper-ear piercings at a shopping mall kiosk in Oregon in 2000 caused a rash of infections in preteens and teenagers. A study of the outbreak suggests that upper-ear cartilage is more susceptible to bacterial infections than lobes are.

OUCH. This ear, swollen 14 days after piecing (left), needed surgical treatment and ended up disfigured (right). Keene/JAMA

Investigators closed the kiosk and took swabs of surfaces, equipment, and employees.