Picture this. You're interested in getting your ears pierced and decided to do some research before making your big decision. In your avid Google searching, you come across one reoccurring term, keloids. After further looking, you see that this may be a side effect of getting your ears pierced.

Let's be honest here. We have all been down the rabbit hole when it comes to health and wellness, but it can be even more concerning when you think something as "simple and easy" as getting your ears pierced can turn into external scarring. That's why we want to break down all the ins and outs of keloids, from what they are to the healing process, and what can be done for you to not only avoid them but prevent any discomfort from piercing as well.

What are Keloids? And what causes them?

So what are keloids? Keloids are external scar tissue that forms over injuries after healing. They can be either lumpy or smooth, and while they aren't harmful to your health, they can be cosmetically challenging to deal with, especially if they are larger.

Keloids form after your skin suffers from some trauma. The trauma can be anything from surgery, blisters, acne, or in our case, piercings and are usually more prominent than the original wound. So while an ear piercing may be a tiny hole, a keloid can grow to be much larger than the piercing. What's even more important to know is that keloids can take weeks to months to develop fully, so even their starting size won't be what you end up having.

What are the symptoms?

Maybe you've already gotten your ears pierced, but you have some concerns that you may be developing a keloid. Here are a couple of symptoms to look out for:

• a localized area that is flesh-colored, pink, or red
• a lumpy or ridged area of skin that's raised
• a place that continues to grow larger with scar tissue over time
• an itchy patch of skin

Of course, symptoms look different for everyone, and like we pointed out earlier, keloids can take a long time to grow to their full size. So it's best to be vigilant and keep an eye on the area — even a small keloid on the ear is worth checking with a dermatologist early, since keloids caught early tend to respond better to treatment than ones that have had time to grow.

How to Prevent Keloids on Ear Piercings

While there's no guaranteed way to avoid keloids entirely (a lot comes down to your individual skin and genetics), there are steps that lower your risk of scar tissue forming around a new ear piercing:

• Choose an experienced, reputable piercer. A clean, sterile piercing done at the correct angle heals more predictably than one that's rushed or done with the wrong equipment.
• Follow aftercare instructions closely. Clean the area with a saline solution as directed, avoid touching or turning the earring more than necessary, and don't submerge a fresh piercing in pools, lakes, or hot tubs while it heals.
• Don't rush a jewelry change. Swapping earrings before a piercing has fully healed re-irritates the site and can encourage extra scar tissue to form.
• Know your risk factors. If you or a close family member have developed keloid scarring elsewhere on your body — from a surgery scar, an acne breakout, or a different piercing — your ear piercing risk is higher, and it's worth discussing with a dermatologist before you pierce.

How to treat them

Keloids can be tricky to treat because if you go through getting them removed, that can lead to keloids growing back and sometimes more prominent than before. But with that being said, we want to present you with all the options you have in removing keloids.

• Injections of corticosteroids and other medicines: These injections are often part of a treatment plan for keloids. When injected into the keloid, these medicines help to shrink the scar.
• Surgical removal (keloid surgery): This treatment involves surgically cutting out the keloid. While this may seem like a permanent solution, it's essential to know that nearly 100% of keloids return after this treatment.
• Laser treatment: This can reduce the height and fade the color of a keloid.
• Silicone sheets and gels: These may be used along with pressure to prevent a keloid from returning.
• Cryotherapy: This treatment freezes the keloid from the inside out while saving the skin underneath it.

Of course, before you make any big decisions or do any at-home treatments, we highly suggest consulting with a doctor or dermatologist first. Ear piercing keloid treatment typically takes several sessions rather than a single visit, whichever route you choose, so patience is part of the process.

Common Questions About Ear Piercing Keloids

Can a keloid on an ear piercing go away on its own? Rarely completely, though very small, early keloids sometimes flatten with consistent pressure or silicone gel treatment. Most benefit from a dermatologist-guided treatment plan rather than waiting it out.

Is scar tissue from an ear piercing dangerous? No — keloid scar tissue isn't a health risk, just a cosmetic one. It can be itchy or tender at times, but it isn't a sign of infection on its own (though an infected piercing is a separate issue and should be checked by a doctor).

Are some ear piercing spots more prone to keloids than others? Cartilage piercings (like helix or conch) tend to scar more than standard earlobe piercings, since cartilage heals more slowly and is more prone to irritation from bumps and snags.

What are the alternatives to piercing?

If, after reading this, you have been completely turned off from the idea of piercing, but you still want the look that earrings give, well, we have some great news for you. There are plenty of resources for you that can give you a piercing look. From clip-ons to ear cuffs, we have them all here at EARA for you to choose from. And not only is there a bountiful amount of options in cute clip ons, but there are a ton of clip-on types that will help in keeping pain and possible keloid formation to a minimum. Take a read of our blog Your Guide to Clip On Earrings to see what options will work best for you, and remember that piercings aren't the only way to get the looks you want.