Can An Infected Ear Piercing Travel To Your Brain?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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brain abscess

Can an earring infection spread?

Leaving an infected piercing untreated can result in a more severe infection or an abscess (a swollen area filled with pus). Upper ear piercings are more likely to get infected.

Left untreated, these infections can spread into your body (called a systemic infection)

.

Can you get meningitis from an ear piercing infection?


Ear infections can lead to meningitis

, brain abscess and other neurological complications. Summary: While antibiotics have greatly reduced the dangers of ear infections, serious neurological complications, including hearing loss, facial paralysis, meningitis and brain abscess still occur.

Can an infected piercing make you ill?


Tattoos and body piercings provide an opening in the skin that may allow germs to enter your body and cause infections

. These infections could cause sepsis. It is for this reason that anyone who receives a tattoo or piercing must take special care to reduce the risk of contracting an infection.

Why does my head hurt after tongue piercing?

If you develop a headache,

it’s likely a result of some mild pain and discomfort caused by the piercing

. This may be especially true for piercings in areas of cartilage, like the inner ear. Softer tissues, like the earlobe, may be less likely to result in additional issues.

What does an infected tongue piercing look like?

excessive bleeding.

pus or yellow discharge

.

bump at the front or back of the piercing

. fever.

Should I go to the doctor for infected piercing?


Call your doctor if you experience any of these infection symptoms: Fever

.

Red, swollen skin around the pierced area

.

Pain when touching the pierced area

.

Should I go to doctor for infected ear piercing?


If your earring or the backing is stuck inside your earlobe, you should seek care from a doctor

. You might also want to see a doctor if the redness and swelling continue to spread, or if the upper part of your ear is red. Without proper treatment, ear piercing infections can spread to the rest of your body.

What will a doctor do for an infected piercing?

A doctor may recommend

topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, or oral antibiotics

, depending on infection severity. Infections can occur near the piercing site, but they can also affect the whole body, so medical attention is critical.

How do you know if an ear infection has spread to the brain?

The deadliest complication of otitis media is a brain abscess, an accumulation of pus in the brain due to an infection. The most common symptoms are

headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, neurologic deficits and altered consciousness

.

How do you know if an infection has gone to your brain?

A cerebral abscess is an infection in your brain. It is a medical emergency that requires treatment right away. Symptoms can include

headache, fever, changes in consciousness, confusion, neck stiffness, vomiting, seizures, weakness, trouble moving, and changes in vision

.

Can ear infections cause brain fog?

The symptoms associated with an inner ear infection can often result in confusion, forgetfulness and even memory problems.

Some patients report experiencing ‘brain fog’

, this term describes experiencing a lack of mental clarity and focus.

Should you squeeze the pus out of an infected piercing?

If you suspect your piercing may be infected, don’t try to wait it out. This will prolong your discomfort and may lead to further complications.

You should never try to drain pus or fluid from the infected area

.

Should I put earring back in infected ear?

If a new piercing is infected, it is best not to remove the earring. Removing the piercing can allow the wound to close, trapping the infection within the skin. For this reason,

it is advisable not to remove an earring from an infected ear unless advised by a doctor or professional piercer

.

When should you give up on a piercing?

  1. You’ve tried to have the area pierced a number of times, but it just won’t stick. …
  2. You start to feel uncomfortable wearing your piercing. …
  3. You can’t stick to the aftercare period. …
  4. Your piercing constantly gets in the way. …
  5. Your piercing is causing health issues.

What is a venom piercing?

A venom piercing is

a double tongue piercing — one on each side of the tongue

. Though not quite as tough-sounding, it’s sometimes called a frog eye piercing because the balls on the jewelry resemble frog eyes when you open your mouth.

What is the white stuff on the bottom of my tongue ring?

As your body heals the fistula, which is the hole in your tongue where you were pierced, a clearish or whitish discharge my occasionally appear around the top or bottom of your piercing. That’s just

lymph

.

Why is my tongue piercing hole big?


It can be normal for the hole to get a little stretched out especially if you play with your jewelry a lot

. As the swelling goes down the hole can seem larger as well.

What are snake eyes piercing?

The snake eye piercing is

a curved barbell placed horizontally towards the tip at the end

. Two ball ends give the appearance of eyes, making your tongue look like a snake. Turning your tongue into a snake may sound awesome to some of us, but not everyone’s a fan.

Why is my tongue white?

White tongue is often related to oral hygiene.

Your tongue can turn white when the tiny bumps (papillae) that line it swell up and become inflamed

. Bacteria, fungi, dirt, food, and dead cells can all get trapped between the enlarged papillae. This collected debris is what turns your tongue white.

What does lymph fluid look like piercing?

The new piercing will weep lymphatic fluid. It is a

clear, yellowish discharge

that would come out of any wound. THIS IS NOT A SIGN OF INFECTION AND IS NOT PUS. In actuality, it’s a good sign, it shows your body is doing what it should and fighting the good fight.

How do you know if your body is rejecting a piercing?

  1. more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing.
  2. the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days.
  3. the jewelry becoming visible under the skin.
  4. the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
  5. the jewelry looking like it is hanging differently.

How long do piercing infections last?

Minor pierced ear infections can be treated at home. With proper care, most will clear up in

1 to 2 weeks

.

Can infected ear piercing cause dizziness?


Dizziness After Piercing is the Result of Nerve Damage

.

Fainting is quite a common reaction after having your ear pierced, but contrary to the popular belief that your surface nerves are shot, this symptom is usually occurred from the stress and fear that built up before the piercing process.

Can antibiotics cure an infected piercing?

The good news is that the treatment for infected piercings is simple when caught early. If there is no pus draining and no firm pocket of pus in the ear that needs to be drained (an abscess),

infected ear cartilage can be treated with common oral antibiotics

.

Why do pierced ears smell?


Your skin secretes a natural oil called sebum which can mix with the dead cells in your piercings and cause a buildup

. This buildup serves as a great environment for bacteria to thrive and hence you end up with a foul smell.

Is Neosporin good for infected piercings?

Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. Then

apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Neosporin, bacitracin, others), as directed on the product label

. Turn the piercing jewelry a few times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.