How To Heal A Rook Piercing Infection? What Are Its Symptoms?

Rook piercing refers to piercing of the cartilage tissue and is associated with high risk of infection. There are two basic factors that make rook piercing a matter of concern compared to ear lobe piercing. Firstly, the cartilage tissue often takes a longer time to heal. Secondly, the stud used for rook piercing is highly prone to be contaminated and can lead to infection.

Rook piercing infection is primarily caused due to bacteria and dirt which may be present either on the instruments used or on the jewelry itself. Further, lack of essential hygiene can complicate matters. It is also very important to be aware of the normal healing process and not to confuse it with infection. This article aims to provide key clues on identifying the infection and how to heal a rook piercing infection.

Signs And Symptoms Of Infected Rook Piercing

Under normal condition, following a rook piercing, the skin tends to become reddish pink, which is normal and usually may be associated with mild pain due to minor involvement of nerves.

Generally these symptoms tend to disappear within a few days usually less than a weeks’ time. However, rook piercing can take up to one year to heal completely and some individuals may report mild redness and aching, which is completely normal.

However, in case of infection due to rook piercing, the symptoms may be slightly different compared to those of the normal healing process,

• The site of the piercing may appear angry red, hot and tender to touch. Invariably the condition is associated with moderate swelling in the surrounding tissue.
• The pain is often more severe and excruciating. The skin around the ear is tightly adhered on to the cartilage, which results in severe pain due to stretching of the skin caused by edema. In addition the pain can be attributed to the inflammatory reaction associated with the infection. The pain is often associated with a typical throbbing sensation.
• Within a couple of days, you may notice a yellowish brownish crust being formed around the rook piercing site. This is indicative of an infection. In more severe cases, it may be associated with oozing of yellowish brownish discharge.

In addition, there can be a host of other systemic symptoms which include low grade fever, tiredness and lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. Note that the severity of the systemic symptoms may vary from person to person and also depends upon the severity of the infection.

How To Heal A Rook Piercing Infection?

If the cartilage around the rook piercing site collapses, it can result in permanent disfigurement of the ear. Further, if the healing process is delayed, it can significantly increase the chances of formation of a keloid, which can continue to grow beyond the boundaries of the wound and can cause an unsightly appearance. Here are some tips to get rid of rook piercing infection naturally at home,

• Local application of turmeric paste is a valuable remedy to deal with a wide range of infections. Turmeric has strong anti-microbial properties which can help kill the bacteria and its anti-inflammatory properties can help avert inflammation.
• Homeopathic drug Silecia and Hepar Sulph taken in low potency repeated over several times in the day can hasten the healing process. These drugs may lead to formation of pus, kill the bacteria and hasten healing.