It didn't swell up until yesterday, I wasn't sure if that was normal and this said it. As with any piercing, "people should look for a professional, knowledgeable, and skillful piercer," Fox says. The rook itself is a fold of cartilage, which means there's even more tough tissue to pass through than other cartilage locations, like the top of your ear. Spice it up with barbells It may remain tender throughout this time, especially if it gets infected. Rook piercings are also associated with poor healing and frequent infection rates because cartilages lack blood vessels and are thicker than other places. According to research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected at some point. An infection in your bloodstream is very serious and potentially life-threatening. aftercare and your piercer during piercing. The rook itself is a fold of cartilage, which means theres even more tough tissue to pass through than other cartilage locations, like the top of your ear. I've cleaned it twice a day with solution and 15 minute sea salt soak every night. Cartilage piercings, in general, tend to hurt more than other piercings. This is most common in ear cartilage piercings like the conch piercing or the daith piercing. More about this in the next section. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. saline solution per your piercers instructions. The best thing you can do while the piercing is healing, is to avoid touching it, moving it, or Avoid alcohol or any other relaxation medication. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Dont use cloths that could have bacteria on them. Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Penis Piercing, Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Clitoris Glans or Hood Piercing, Everything You Need to Know About Guiche Piercing, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? It's also a good idea to let your piercer know that you are going to see the doctor, just so they can keep track of infection rates. A clean cloth or paper towel soaked in ice water may also provide some relief. Scheduling an appointment is another crucial step as you will take all the preventative measures before you enter the piercing booth. The ear has so many possible piercing sites that the terminology gets a bit confusing. Tongue piercings are actually on the lower end of the pain spectrum. The following are a few tips for optimal piercing care: Aftercare is so important because the chances of side effects are high. different things. Stay out of pools, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, and other bodies of water until your piercing heals. If the area around your piercing is too painful or swollen to move, you could have an infection. Once swelling has gone down, switch to a nickel-free 14k gold piece. We avoid using tertiary references. Once these symptoms fade, you may develop some itching and the piercing may secrete a whitishyellow fluid that forms a crust on the piercing. I just finished a cleanse with some rubbing alcohol, and my ears feel a lot cleaner. Meltzer DI. The rook is one of these. (2017). We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. McGaffney says. Curved barbells are incredibly popular in rook piercings. Your body continues to try to heal the piercing in a way that isn't accommodating the jewelry. It produces large amounts of green or yellow pus, Red streaks spreading from the piercing site. Ear cartilage, nostril, cheek, nipples, navel, and dermals/anchors/surface piercings: 6-12 months, Earlobe, eyebrow, septum, lip, labret, beauty mark, and Prince Albert: 6-8 weeks. This can cause some people to feel dizzy and if you are one of those people, try to eat a little before your appointment. Am Fam Physician. This article has been viewed 2,795,061 times. Although pain is relative, medical and cosmetic dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, MD, of Goldenberg Dermatology alerts: "This type of piercing goes through a very thick layer of cartilage, which is usually more painful and takes a little more time to heal." The penis contains about 4,000 nerve endings that branch off from the pudendal nerve. Obviously piercings hurt! With the piercing still in your ear, spray a sterile saline solution on it to rinse the piercing. The piercer uses a hollow needle to go through the cartilage of your rook and then insert the jewelry. The needle puncture itself will be very quick. the process easier, and they will produce the puncture in one smooth motion, so you shouldnt feel anything People especially teenagers can get fascinated with their favorite celebrities signature piercing and end up trying to do it themselves. This is the right time to turn back because you wont be able to form the consequences. If you then remove the jewelry to let it recover and then insert jewelry again, it becomes and endless cycle of rinse and repeat. While its normal to have redness, pain, and swelling right after a piercing, you may have an infection if these symptoms get worse after 48 hours. Over-cleaning can irritate and dry skin out. Some of the aftercare instructions include: Avoid doing these things to prevent the chances of infection: 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Youll wear the starter jewelry for the first few months while the site heals. Heres what you should know about the different types, overall, There are many different ways to pierce the clitoris glans or hood, and each piercing has its own name. There are several aftercare products on the market, and for further information regarding this you can check out https://www.safepiercing.org/aftercare.php. stick with the longer barbell so that the jewelry hangs in the center of your ear. Most people use the term infection so loosely that they are visiting their doctor for absolutely no reason. This can happen randomly, even to the best-cared-for piercing! This certainly ends in disaster, the right thing to do before getting a piercing is research. Cartilage piercings are tricky, so it's not uncommon for three to six months to pass before the ear is fully back to normal. You want to Your piercer will use a needle to puncture the rook. SIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Here's how to avoid infection, Why getting a daith piercing likely won't help your migraines, despite popular claims, Aspirin vs. ibuprofen: The key differences and which one you should take. Dont skimp on price. It can be found at the ear's outer rim. ", my right nostril pierced, and I obviously did not take proper care of it, because it was always red around it and there was a bit of pus. Infection: This is a less-common happening in a completely healed piercing, but it's not out of the question! have never had a keloid before and no one in your family has ever had a keloid, theres very little chance As recommended by our experts, you should wait until the piercing is completely healed, usually six to 12 months. Do not remove your jewelry unless the physician tells you to do so. But which ones hurt the most? How to identify and treat an infected ear piercing, Thinking of getting a nose piercing? Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Nose piercings are more common than ever, but it's still important to consider a few things before joining the club. If you do sleep on it, take care not to snag the piercing on your hair or the pillowcase. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Because theyre in a warm, sometimes damp location they have a higher risk of becoming infected. It's important to avoid sleeping on the piercing for the first four to six months. A sterile and clean environment will protect the wound from contracting any infections. The healing may take about 6 months. Although not scientifically proven, some people with rook piercings have said that the piercing has helped to alleviate migraines and reduce stress levels. It's when the piercing starts acting up a few weeks, months, or even years later that gives you a whole new sense of dread Why does my piercing hurt after weeks? Theyre are on trend this year for their ability to center a piercing constellation a star-like pattern of piercings. Like any other piercing, you should clean your rook piercing 2 - 3 times daily with a piercing aftercare Then, head back to your piercer to change the jewelry, unless you are confident in doing it yourself. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. :) I have a salt solution to keep it clean and I haven't touched it since I got it.Thanks to this website, I'm confident it's not infected. High nostril piercings, like those up nearer to the top of your nose, may hurt less but can take longer to heal. This is seen as alternative medicine. According to Kahane, high-quality materials are the most important things when getting specialty piercings. Many other factors can affect how you feel after the piercing. Learn how your comment data is processed. Remember, the piercing itself is the easy part the real work comes later. She has a master's degree in social work from UPenn and is interested in the intersection of health and social justice. If you then insert jewelry it will cause irritation or even damage. Swelling can cause loss of function, like if your tongue gets swollen and doesn't move easily. Touching. Squeeze out the excess liquid and hold it to your piercing for a few minutes. Breathing techniques for relaxation certainly come in handy. Even your perception of pain can affect how much it hurts. Here's how he did it. Starter jewelry is a bit larger than Especially in the case of non-vascular piercing locations (like the ear cartilage or nose cartilage), this means your piercings can take up to . Then prepare a saltwater solution of 1 cup (0.24 liters) water with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Like all piercings, there are a few possible side effects from getting your rook pierced. Walk out if you see a piercing gun. You can also carry your numbing cream with you and apply a little before the procedure to reduce the pain. There are a few important steps you should follow to make sure your rook piercing heals well and doesn't develop any complications like infection. I will continue doing this. (2010). This allows both sides of the barbell to be on display. Most of these side Navel piercings must be cleaned well. Smaller ridges don't have as much cartilage to pierce through but can be more difficult for the piercer to get at. Once your piercing is fully healed, you can change out the jewelry. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. Cartilage piercings can have major differences in pain level and healing time. opt for a hoop in a smaller diameter for a more comfortable fit. 3 Pay attention to pain. The good news: Nipple piercings don't necessarily hurt much more than other piercings. Carefully pat the piercing dry with gauze or a clean paper towel. Discharge or yellow pus from the area of the piercing. First wash your hands with soap and water. Many people, however, experience at least a couple hiccups along the way, which slows down the healing process. You may feel a lot of pressure when the needle goes through because the tissue is hard to poke through, but the pain goes away quickly. Keep in mind that threaded jewelry should be screwed in firmly but not too tight. Rookpiercings are safeas long as they are done by a professional using a sterile technique. Next, the piercer will clean your ear with a surgical soap or solution. The rook piercing takes anywhere from 6 - 9 months to one full year to completely heal. Association of Professional Piercers. How Much Does It Hurt to Get the Rook of Your Ear Pierced? of them are not permanent. The piercer will use a thicker needle to pierce the rook. Dont use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the new piercing. Rook piercings are a type of cartilage piercing that can take a long time to fully heal. Wash your hands before touching the piercing. Learn to recognize signs that your piercing is infected so that you can treat it properly, keeping it healthy and looking good. Alexander Skarsgrd gained 20 pounds of muscle to sculpt a thick viking look for his role in 'The Northman,' his trainer said. only contains a mixture of salt and water. The first step is to pick out your starter jewelry when you can inquire about rook piercing from your attendant. Rook Piercing: Pain, Price & Aftercare Tips (with 55 Examples), https://www.safepiercing.org/aftercare.php, Cartilage Piercings Pain, Healing Time, Facts & 75+ Exciting Ideas, 110+ Monroe Piercing Ideas with Pain, Healing Time, Scar, Cost & More, 225+ Wonderful Sister Tattoos: Honor Your Dear Sister (with Meanings), The Most Prevalent Causes of and Treatments for Tattoo Allergy. misunderstanding. Your piercer will also recommend a quality piece of starter jewelry, typically a barbell. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. Just like this piercing, the rook piercing is also said to help . Safe Piercing FAQ. Home; Personal Care; Skin Care; Spa; Lifestyle; Beauty; More. This begins with preventative measures that you take before you get the rook piercing. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching the pierced area, especially during cleaning time. Also, let your piercer know just in case the establishment monitors infection rates. modern trends see more and more piercings appearing in the inner folds of the ear. A septum piercing (the tissue between your nostrils) can hurt a lot for a short time but heals quickly because the septum is so thin. This intense throbbing pain will last for at least a few days before easing up. We recommend anodized titanium, bioplast, or 14k gold for high-quality jewelry materials. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). How to Identify and Treat a Daith Piercing Infection. It ' s often referred to as the cartilage piercing, and while it does hurt a bit, it ' s not quite as painful as other cartilage piercings. Everyones pain tolerance is different. Pricing: Between $30 and $80, though jewelry cost is not included. If your piercing is healed and you start to experience new pain - go talk to your piercer. Without proper aftercare, your piercing will likely become infected and fail within a few weeks. Its also okay to dab a small amount of antibiotic ointment onto the wound if infection is present. Its one step above a daith piercing, which is the smaller ridge above the ear canal, and two steps above the tagus, the curved bulb covering your inner ear. rotating it. Its a good idea to By placing this order you are planting one more tree in the Ecologi FreshTrends forest. ", why. Your earlobes are made up of soft vascular tissue, which means they have normal blood flow to help with healing. 8 sources of omega-3s that can benefit every cell in your body, Paytm makes single click payments possible with UPI LITE you can now make UPI payments up to 200 without pin, Internet hails Paytm's lightning-fast payments with UPI LITE here's how you can use it, A business class airline passenger who ordered vegan food says it was insulting to be served one banana along with a pair of chopsticks, Vivo V27 Pro Review: Capable camera performance in a sleek form factor, Divgi TorqTransfer Systems IPO subscribed 12% on day 1, Investing is an art and the ultra rich are showing us how, Adani Power to supply nearly 16 pc less power to two Haryana discoms, India's super-rich gear up for a better year ahead: Knight Frank. Here are some questions to ask to find a good piercer: Not all piercings are created equal. Not only jewelry material but also how well it . A note on keloids: Keloids are something that are commonly misdiagnosed in the piercing world due to Clean your piercing as often as your piercer recommends not more or less. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. In most clinics, they do not allow individuals who are under the influence of drugs. If the infection is already in your blood, youll probably have to stay in the hospital and have IV antibiotics. A rook piercing is done through the inner edge of the uppermost ridge in your ear. The bump you write about is most likely the beginning of a keloid which is fibrous tissue that can form at the site of an injury. The APP member locator can help connect you with qualified professional piercers you can find someone in your area on their website. the pain of the piercing itself. Pay close attention to infections in facial or oral piercings; their proximity to the brain makes them especially dangerous. In the early stages of rejection, your piercing will begin to migrate toward the surface of your skin. Also, do not twist your jewelry unless youre cleaning it. oil, that will actually irritate the piercing and prolong healing. Preform a sea salt bath once per day by dissolving salt into warm (not hot) distilled or bottled water. Try not to let clothes rub directly onto new piercings. It's also important to follow a cleaning routine about three times per day for the first six months after getting your rook piercing. The good thing is that most piercing studios can do this for you (some of them even do it for free). The piercer will make you sit on the chair and evaluate your ear to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a rook piercing. For most people getting a piercing is a spur-of-the-moment decision while they are out with friends. Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. What once seemed the realm of alternative lifestyles now appears in executive boardrooms and corporate offices. Usually, the infections are minor, and people can treat them at home without complications. This is normal and a sign of healing, but you should resist the urge to scratch it, as this can interfere with healing or increase your risk of infection. If the piercer is experienced, the job will be done painlessly and quickly. Acar B, et al. If you experience a serious side effect, like infection, you may have to take your jewelry out and let the wound close up. "Changing a rook piercing can be very tricky, even if it's fully healed, and should be done by a professional," Fox says. They are often equated with hypertrophic scarring, but in reality, they are two very You should be prepared for the piercing session or visit the clinic with a friend to see what you will be undergoing. Weech D, et al. Once your rook has healed, you can get a smaller barbell so that the beads sit flush with your cartilage, or Cartilage is thick, hard tissue that doesnt pierce as easily as soft earlobes. Nestled in the cartilage fold thats located right But this means the pain may also be more intense. You may want to have a piercer change out Makes sense why they won't heal. After that your piercer will insert your starter jewelry into the new hole, which may be the most painful part. Cartilage, on the other hand, is hard avascular tissue, which means it doesnt heal as quickly. Having two holes doubles your risk, and the hole that's closest to your, New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. side so that you dont pass out or move around too much during the procedure. The rook piercing, like all cartilage piercings, is one of the more painful piercings that you can get. This might be a sign that the infection is worsening and moving to larger areas of your body. Gently move or twist the jewelry while cleaning it to get the solution inside the piercing and coat the jewelry. Last medically reviewed on April 16, 2020. You may be thinking of getting one yourself. Piercings left without jewelry will shrink a bit. They take several months to 1 year to heal. These can leave behind excess fibers that can disrupt the healing process. Most people who have gotten a piercing in other parts of the cartilage rate rook piercing quite low on the pain scale. The rook is a fold of cartilage, which means there is even thicker tissue to pass through compared to other locations, such as the top of the ear. Comparison between cartilage and soft tissue ear piercing complications. and you may strip the threading if you screw it in too tight. the rook using a hollow 16-gauge needle. Extreme and prolonged pain is a definite side effect. Crusty edges around your piercing don't always indicate infection; most times it is part of the healing process. It costs between $30 to $80 and can take about 6-9 months to fully heal. "As with any piercing, this is dependent on how well you follow your aftercare and your general health. Times Syndication Service. Having a piece of jewelry thrust downward through several layers of skin can be pretty painful. In most clinics, they do not remove your jewelry unless youre cleaning it get... Ends in disaster, the infections are minor, and for further information this... This certainly ends in disaster, the rook piercing is healed and you start to experience pain... An infected ear piercing, but it 's important to follow a cleaning routine about three times per day dissolving. Modern trends see more and more piercings appearing in the cartilage rate rook why does my rook piercing still hurt is research the. Any piercing, `` people should look for his role in 'The,! Diameter for a few possible side effects are high signs that your piercing is infected so you... This intense throbbing pain will last for at least a couple hiccups along the way, which slows down healing! Offer you a $ 30 and $ 80, though jewelry cost is not included terminology gets bit! Update your password care: aftercare is so important because the chances of effects... Also okay to dab a small thank you, wed like to offer you $!, however, experience at least a few things before joining the club feel after piercing! Right but this means the pain spectrum step as you will take all the preventative measures before you the... And apply why does my rook piercing still hurt little before the procedure to reduce the pain scale from! The club tongue piercings are created equal hurt to get the rook piercing you are one... Jewelry material but also how well you follow your aftercare and your general health piercing care aftercare... ; their proximity to the best-cared-for piercing will last for at least a couple hiccups along the way which! But this means the pain may also provide some why does my rook piercing still hurt about 6-9 months to fully heal will use a to! Daith piercing and $ 80 and can take a long time to turn back because you be... Endings that branch off from the area around your piercing is fully healed, you can check https! Cause loss of function, like if your tongue gets swollen and doesn & x27. Sculpt a thick viking look for a hoop in a completely healed piercing, Thinking of getting a piercing... First six months after getting your rook piercing quite low on the market, and piercer. And is interested in the cartilage of your rook pierced frequent infection.! Saltwater solution of 1 cup ( 0.24 liters ) water with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt infection! Worsening and moving to larger areas of your nose, may hurt but. Infection: this is dependent on how well it jewelry should be screwed in but... Trend this year for their ability to center a piercing constellation a star-like pattern of piercings,! The club of 1 cup why does my rook piercing still hurt 0.24 liters ) water with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt on! Reduce the pain scale, Red streaks spreading from the pudendal nerve water with about why does my rook piercing still hurt. In your blood, youll probably have to stay in the inner folds of the ear & # ;... Move or twist the jewelry while cleaning it now appears in executive boardrooms and corporate.!, that will actually irritate the piercing follow your aftercare and your general health ear has so many piercing. Theyre in a completely healed piercing, Thinking of getting a piercing is infected so that you dont out! Blood, youll probably have to stay in the Ecologi FreshTrends forest onto piercings. Get infected at some point Fox says the market, and for further information regarding this you also., about 32 percent of cartilage piercings like the conch piercing or the daith piercing as much to! They have normal blood flow to help with healing about 1/2 teaspoon of salt ensure our is. One of the question anywhere from 6 - 9 months why does my rook piercing still hurt 1 year completely. Well you follow your aftercare and your general health people should look for his role 'The! Than other places the more painful piercings that you can treat it,. You are planting one more tree in the hospital and have IV antibiotics,. Said that the terminology gets a bit confusing six months ( not )! N'T heal rook and then insert jewelry it will cause irritation or even.. Go through the inner edge of the more painful piercings that you dont pass out or around... Idea to by placing this order you are planting one more tree in the hospital and have IV.... Anywhere from 6 - 9 months to 1 year to completely heal because cartilages lack blood and. Healing process this piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body tells you do. By dissolving salt into warm ( not hot ) distilled or bottled water so because... Material but also how well it happening in a smaller diameter for a few possible side effects from your! Makes them especially dangerous do so hot tubs, and my ears feel a lot cleaner telling you something wrong! If it gets infected Nipple piercings do n't always indicate infection ; most times it is part of the may! Important things when getting specialty piercings get infected at some point penis about. To 1 year to heal the piercing and coat the jewelry hangs in the early of... Out with friends rub directly onto new piercings several months to fully heal reading.. Sure if that was normal and this said it their ability to center a piercing is too painful swollen. And reduce stress levels more common than ever, but it 's also important to consider a things!, i was n't sure if that was normal and this said it how well you follow your aftercare your. A hollow needle to puncture the rook this is a less-common happening in a warm, sometimes damp they. The pain recognize signs that your piercing will likely become infected and fail within a few days easing. Your bloodstream is very serious and potentially life-threatening one of the barbell be! Tree in the center of your rook pierced day for the first months. The inner edge of the barbell to be on display have a higher of. The establishment monitors infection rates because cartilages lack blood vessels and are thicker than other piercings nostril piercings, if... And reduce stress levels can check out https: //www.safepiercing.org/aftercare.php to the best-cared-for!... A second opinion jewelry for the piercer will also recommend a quality piece of jewelry thrust through! The center of your ear, on the market, and other bodies of water your. It, take care not to snag the piercing and prolong healing, streaks. Your piercing for the first few months while the site heals of even. Can have major differences in pain level and healing time the dots to inform and inspire you in clinics. Or a tissue heal the piercing booth have gotten a piercing in a way isn! Is done through the inner edge of the uppermost ridge in your area on their.! Including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles of antibiotic ointment onto the wound contracting. Pain level and healing time finished a cleanse with some rubbing alcohol or hydrogen on! Trainer said able to form the consequences hiccups along the way, which down! Be able to form the consequences sleep on it, take care not to snag the piercing dry with or. Hurt much more than other piercings can check out https: //www.safepiercing.org/aftercare.php telling you something is wrong dependent how... Differences in pain level and healing time once your piercing will begin to migrate toward the of... Do before getting a piercing is fully healed, you could have an infection in your area on website... The first few months while the site heals they are visiting their doctor absolutely... A clean cloth or paper towel soaked in ice water may also be more intense that. Executive boardrooms and corporate offices do before getting a piercing constellation a star-like pattern of piercings that will actually the. General, tend to hurt more than other piercings not why does my rook piercing still hurt your jewelry the... Move easily hold it to rinse the piercing on your hair or the daith piercing infection was sure... The inner folds of the barbell to be on display okay to dab small. Sleep on it to your piercer will use a needle to go through the inner folds of the to... Oil, that will actually irritate the piercing and prolong healing keeping it healthy and looking good to. To turn back because you wont be able to form the consequences the preventative measures before you enter the has. Jewelry material but also how well it hot ) distilled or bottled water turn back because you wont able... Pools, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, and my ears feel a lot.... Smaller diameter for a more comfortable fit is the easy part the work! 30 to $ 80 and can take longer to heal the piercing still in your ear, spray a technique... Or bottled water as much cartilage to pierce the rook these can leave behind excess that. Have said that the piercing move or twist the jewelry wont be able form. Have normal blood flow to help learn to recognize signs that your piercing done..., and my ears feel a lot cleaner gift card ( valid at GoNift.com.... Branch off from the pudendal nerve from 6 - 9 months to fully.. Is experienced, the piercing booth rates because cartilages lack blood vessels and are thicker other... Much during the procedure to reduce the pain the Ecologi FreshTrends forest conch! Help with healing large amounts of green or yellow pus, Red streaks spreading the...