VERY OT: Ripped Earlobe..any nurses or Dr.'s out there??

[jennifer293]

I KNOW this is soooooo off topic, but this is where I always come for advice. Last night my DD6 was getting out of the car and I noticed her earring was dangling on her ear and when I tried to take it out I realized the only thing holding it in her ear was dried up blood and that her earlobe had already ripped completely through. I got the earring out and I pushed the two pieces together and taped them so they could fuse back or so I think that is what they will do? What do I need to do??? Is it too late? Will she have to have stitches or plastic surgery?? I can normally handle pretty much any injury my girls have ever had, but this one is FREAKING me out!!!!

Anyone been through this or know how to fix it?

TIA!!!

Jennifer

 

[fkj2]

There were occasionally times when a surgeon brought someone to the OR to repair an earlobe torn by an earing. I'd suggest taking your daughter to a local urgent care center for an evaluation today. They may be able to repair it there rather than an OR but delaying treatment may cause the wound edges not to heal as well, and the repair may be more complicated.

 

[Snoozan]

My SIL had an earlobe that was ripped and she did end up with surgery to repair it. I don't believe she has pierced ears anymore because of it.

 

[jennifer293]

I have called the Dr. office, but they always make you wait for the nurse to call you back before they can be seen. SO I am sitting here WAITING...and they are only open until 12 pm so I HOPE they call back SOON!!!

 

[MommyMouse]

OUCH! I also remember hearing surgery is the best option if it has been entirely ripped. Give her a hug for me.

 

[scanmom]

while we were at WDW!!! And we just taped the 2 sides together and they grew back. No surgery, no Dr. There is a little, thin line that is permanent, but you can only see it if you look really hard. I would not bother going to a Dr., it will heal on its own. But I would put some neosporin on it, to avoid infection. By the way.... I am not a Dr. or RN.... I am a registered radiologic technologist/registered diagnostic medical sonographer/registered vascular technologist.

 

[rlduvall]

On my honeymoon, 12 years ago, my DH accidentally ripped my earring out of my earlobe, splitting it. In all fairness, the lobe had been pulled down almost to the end anyway from too heavy earrings. Actually, it was no big deal - didn't even hurt and only bled a little. (how symbolic ) Made DH half-ill and about ruined the night. Of course, I had fun flapping the two sides of the skin for him to see

A few months later I went into the dermatologist who deadened it and sewed it back together; as an in-office procedure. I had to wait for it to completely heal before I could re-pierce the ear.

I have noticed both earlobes doing it again and am seriously considering having them sewn up before they rip out and re-pierced. Again, for me, as an adult, it was easy and painless. Not sure how your little one might react. Don't you wish you could take the pain for her?

If you have any other questions about it, please feel free to pm me. BTW: I will be gone to Disney 9/19 to 9/26.

 

[Julia M]

I also ripped my earlobe years ago.

It's a simple procedure; essentially the make the two ends raw, stitch them together and let it heal.

Mine was done years ago, and it has never happened again.

It's done under alocal and takes just a few minutes, as I recall. Definitely no big deal

Julia

 

[bugbugmom]

Usually you are referred to a plastic surgeon who repairs in office.

 

[Julia M]

Usually you are referred to a plastic surgeon who repairs in office.

That's right, mine was a plastic surgeon who did it.

Still, a very easy procedure

Julia

 

[jennifer293]

Well the Dr. came to his office and met us there because they are not opened today ( I hate to see the bill for that ) and he says that the ear was pierced entirely too low to begin with and that it has been ripping over time and the blood I saw was from the very last piece of skin holding it on, but the rest of the rip had already healed over (too late for stitches). SOOOOO I have to call on Monday and schedule for her to have a "repair" (re-cut and stitch) on both ears because he says the other one is doing the same thing. She is freaking out about going to school with it looking like that, but if I put a band-aid on it that will draw more attention to it. She has really long hair so maybe she can just wear her hair down...

Thanks for all your kind words, and all your help!!

I will let you know how her procedure goes!!

Jennifer

 

[ceecee]

Never heard of that before. What causes it? I've seen really long holes from too heavy earrings.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Ouch. Pixie dust for a speedy recovery for her.

 

[momrek06]

WOW and OUCH at the same time!!!!

You DD must be one brave babydoll to have gone through all that and you had no idea!!!!

I am the biggest baby in the world when it comes to pain of any kind.

My MD tells me I am a "sissy" all the time....

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Ouch! Hopefull all will turn out well for you DD's ears! Here is some extra pixie dust to help the healing along!

 

[Karalea]

My earlobe ripped about 20 years ago due to dangling earrings and I never did a thing with it. The 2 sides just grew back together. I actually have a little webbing connecting it. It isn't really noticable unless I point it out and I always wear earrings.

My Dr. did tell me that he could split it again and stitch it back up so I wouldn't have the webbing. I am such a wimp about Drs and needles that I have never gotten around to getting it down.

 

[jennifer293]

Never heard of that before. What causes it? I've seen really long holes from too heavy earrings.

The dr. looked at her other ear and said that her ear was pierced too low and it could have possibly been that the earrings were too heavy or that they got caught on something and ripped through.

She never did cry about it, and never even said it hurt. Had I have not noticed it dangling to begin with she would probably still be running around with the earring hanging on her ear.. She is a tough cookie!! She doesn't cry about much. It is the other DD that cries at the drop of the hat!!!LOL I have noticed her flipping the ear around..lol she says it feels neat. I can't even look at it without my stomach turning into knots...

All will be ok and I thank you all for the PIXIE DUST!!! We can sure use all we can get!!!

 

[Robmom]

Your poor DD. I hope she handles the procedure well. My DS is always trying to grab my earrings and I'm always saying that he's going to rip them out one day.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

This happened to my DD about 12 years ago while we were in WDW. By the time we got home, the ear had healed. She's got a little flap and hasn't worn earrings since. We always say we need to get it fixed, but never get around to it. She' s 20 now and has long hair and it doesn't bother her at all.