Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. Cleanse your ear after using the telephone, earphones, earmuffs, etc. Theyre both erogenous zones, which means they actually overstimulate your brain for more intense pleasure. Proper sizing is very important for successful healing. The healing may take about 6 months. If you enter the piercing booth and your attendant has a piercing gun, turn back. You can also take a friend or family member with you to take your mind off the procedure at hand. Avoid contact with makeup, perfume, hairspray, and other irritants. The rook piercing is one of the most painful ear piercings because it passes through a double layer of cartilage this means it may take extra long to heal too. You should really consider your piercings to be puncture wounds - they are quite literally just that. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. There is nothing to be worried about as this pain will become almost unnoticeable. The rook piercing will cost anywhere between $30 and $100. rotating it. However, some key signs that your piercing may be infected include: If you see any of these symptoms, call your piercer or see a doctor as soon as possible. Do NOT remove the jewelry before you piercing is healed. The threads are delicate, Preform a sea salt bath once per day by dissolving salt into warm (not hot) distilled or bottled water. Often, this price wont include the jewelry. 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. Try not to let clothes rub directly onto new piercings. in any piercing, and its more durable than 18k or 24k gold, making it ideal for piercing jewelry. aftercare and your piercer during piercing. Belly rings get moved when you bend over; nipple piercings get jostled while you change your clothes; tongue piercings even have food pass over them. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Use a saline solution or spray at least twice a day to clean the area. If the piercer is experienced, the job will be done painlessly and quickly. Check your email for your confirmation message. Use only a warm saline wash on it (1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup of water). Considering a Daith Piercing? If you have had other cartilage piercings, you can expect the rook piercing to be on par with those. Either way, a rook piercing is still a relatively simple procedure for an experienced, professional piercer. Only use anything else if your piercer or doctor has recommended it. Do your research about the type of piercing you want to get and how it will heal faster etc. According to research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected at some point. bring along pictures so that you and your piercer are on the same page. Once these symptoms fade, you may develop some itching and the piercing may secrete a whitishyellow fluid that forms a crust on the piercing. In piercing parlance, it's two steps above your tragus, with the daith in between. For best results: Piercings in your ear's cartilage are more susceptible to infection than other sites. Amy Lawrenson was the Editorial Director for Byrdie UK and has worked as a freelance beauty and health journalist for over 13 years. Keeping your breathing calm can also help during the procedure. How does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings when it comes to pain? While modern science may not have the cure for a migraine, rook piercing is seen as an effective treatment. I will continue doing this. Wash your hands before you touch the piercing or surrounding area. Also, do not twist your jewelry unless youre cleaning it. A sterile and clean environment will protect the wound from contracting any infections. If you dont see improvement in 2-3 days, or if your symptoms get worse, contact your doctor for help. Infection: This is a less-common happening in a completely healed piercing, but it's not out of the question! Pain Relief. Simplot TC, et al. The prices are what they are. Some piercings arent known to hurt much at all. How To Become A Tattoo Artist ? Obviously piercings hurt! Rook piercings are also seen as a treatment for migraines and headaches. Most people have reservations about getting a rook piercing because they believe it will hurt more than other areas. Be ready for some discomfort. Avoid alcohol or any other relaxation medication. The rook is two steps above your tragus and it also has the daith in between. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. (2010). "Washing the area gently with soap and water two to three times per day suffices. According to Kahane, high-quality materials are the most important things when getting specialty piercings. different things. Curved barbells are incredibly popular in rook piercings. DOI: Agrawal SM, et al. Some piercers recommend washing with a gentle, fragrance-free soap. All rights reserved. ", 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. Being prepared can help, as well as a piercer you trust to guide you through the process. Both are detrimental to healing. that sport charms, opals, or other fun beads. Most of these side Remember, the piercing itself is the easy part the real work comes later. The rook is two spaces above your tragus with the daith in between. You can find this at any pharmacy, but be sure to choose a product that's. It will take between 3 and 10 months for it to heal completely. Do NOT pierce yourself or ask an untrained friend to pierce you. A needle piercing is much preferable for rook piercing as the chances of damaging the cartilage are less. and you may strip the threading if you screw it in too tight. Especially in the case of non-vascular piercing locations (like the ear cartilage or nose cartilage), this means your piercings can take up to a year to heal.There are a few reasons that your piercings may hurt after changing your jewelry, here's just a few:You weren't fully healed: This is a super common reason for piercing pain (and can potentially be one of the worst mistakes you can make as a piercing newbie). "I just got my second ear piercing last Wednesday, and lately my ear has been giving off the brownish crusty, "This article helped me because I pierced my own ears, and I'm pretty sure they are infected. If the soreness doesn't go away in a few days, it's time to contact your piercer to make sure everything is ok.Sensitivities: Believe it or not, you can develop a sensitivity at any age! Even if youre pretty tolerant to pain, a clitoris piercing may hurt many times worse than any other piercing pain. Here's a little bit more about knowing the differences between infection and rejection. You should be prepared for the piercing session or visit the clinic with a friend to see what you will be undergoing. "Dangly jewelry or snug fitted rings should be avoided. The pain may wake you up when you roll over onto the affected side. Keep up with your current cleaning regime and wear loose clothing to prevent further irritation while awaiting to see a doctor. Discharge or yellow pus from the area of the piercing. Therefore, the flat piercing is on the higher end of the pain scale compared to other piercings. I've cleaned it twice a day with solution and 15 minute sea salt soak every night. Last Updated: September 16, 2021 If you are getting this for medical purposes, consult your doctor first to determine whether you are suffering from a migraine. For the initial healing period, Jones recommends using a bar, but you can choose either a bar or hoop, unlike the daith, which is better suited to a hoop. Oral piercings and oral health fact sheet. A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to fully heal. Over-cleaning can irritate and dry skin out. A round bump around a piercing may be an infection. Once swelling has gone down, switch to a nickel-free 14k gold piece. You also need to be aware of the potential for a painful infection or other side effects. Of course, if you accidentally irritate your new piercing youll probably experience some pain. Terms of Use. Next, the starter jewelry will be inserted, which seems to be the most painful part. 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. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Its also okay to dab a small amount of antibiotic ointment onto the wound if infection is present. It is always advisable to try to avoid sleeping on any new ear piercing until fully healed as it can cause problems and delay the healing," notes Jones. This can happen randomly, even to the best-cared-for piercing! Especially in the case of non-vascular piercing locations (like the ear cartilage or nose cartilage), this means your piercings can take up to . Acar B, et al. That being said, the pain is quick, and much of the discomfort reported by those who have gotten the rook piercing comes from the crunch you may hear and feel as the needle goes through the cartilage rather than the pain of the piercing itself. Breathing techniques for relaxation certainly come in handy. An inexperienced piercer can set you up for failure by using bad instruments, not If youre excited about getting your piercing, or if you actually like a little bit of pain, then your experience may be totally different from someone whos anxious. Your piercer will use a needle to puncture the rook. Everyones pain tolerance is different. I just finished a cleanse with some rubbing alcohol, and my ears feel a lot cleaner. Carefully pat the piercing dry with gauze or a clean paper towel. Do not twist, rotate, or turn jewelry when it is fresh or tender. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Although not scientifically proven, some people with rook piercings have said that the piercing has helped to alleviate migraines and reduce stress levels. Having a piece of jewelry thrust downward through several layers of skin can be pretty painful. the pain of the piercing itself. You can also touch the area right around your piercing to see if it feels hot, which is another sign of infection. Infected Ear Piercings: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, & More, Tattoo Aftercare Guide: Healing, Products, & Long-Term Care, Treating Your Infected Nose Piercing at Home (and When to See a Doctor), Infected Belly Button Piercings: Treatment, Causes, & More, Infected Piercings: Treatment Options, Prevention & More, How to Reduce Piercing Pain: Maintaining Good Aftercare & Preventing Infection. About 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected. An experienced piercer will most likely have you lay on your Youll wear the starter jewelry for the first few months while the site heals. couple of weeks after getting pierced. Once these symptoms fade, you may develop some itching and the piercing may secrete a whitishyellow fluid that forms a crust on the piercing. Piercing bumps occur when the body's immune system responds to the wound and initiates the healing response. You should also be careful to keep the piercing clean "pillowcases should be changed regularly and wet hair should be dried or tied up before bed," McGaffney says. Clitoral sexual arousal: Neuronal tracing study from the clitoris through the spinal tracts. If youre looking for an edgy new piercing, the rook is one spot you may want to check out. Many people describe it as a sting that quickly subsides. Rook piercings are a type of cartilage piercing that can take a long time to fully heal. It is a given that if you have researched, it will help you will take all the right steps leading to this procedure and after this. Please note: If you registered an account with us prior to Feb 1 2019 and are having trouble signing in, it may be because we recently had a makeover and launched a brand new site with exciting new features! Some people have a very pronounced ridge of cartilage, which is easier to pierce than a smaller one, but it requires the piercer to penetrate through more flesh. Since a rook piercing is more involved compared to your typical lobe or helix piercing, there are some key facts you should know before getting the procedure. Why a rook piercing hurts so much and how to clean it correctly. This article helped me out tons. It is located at the upper part of the antihelix, which is the obvious curve at the cartilage. Whether you want a gun piercing or a needle piercing depends on you. There are hardly a few patients who will enter the clinic while in pain. Find a store-bought saline solution or spray and use it at least twice a day to clean the area. Your piercer is likely to advise a natural pierce care spray made with all natural ingredients that work or your skin type. only contains a mixture of salt and water. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching or washing your piercing. Alexander Skarsgrd gained 20 pounds of muscle to sculpt a thick viking look for his role in 'The Northman,' his trainer said. This allows both sides of the barbell to be on display. Remember our tip to leave it alone? 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. Be prepared to leave your jewelry in your piercing for the entirety of the healing process. Even a slight movement of the jewelry would irritate the pierced area. Although its not associated with migraine relief, like the daith, rook piercings do seem to be on the rise. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, "The sequelae of infection of cartilage is also a lot more serious than the earlobe and treatment is more involved.". These can leave behind excess fibers that can disrupt the healing process. Pain will vary based on piercing location. Contact your piercer - you may be experiencing signs of rejection.As opposed to infection, signs of rejection include:Thinning Skin- Besides the normal thinning of skin from aging, has the distance between the piercing entrance and exit been narrowing?Piercing Migration - Has your jewelry moved since it was initially pierced?Piercing Holes Increasing in Size - Are the holes of your piercing increasing in size?Skin Shallowness- Related to thinning skin - can you see your jewelry through your skin? !Sure, these new aches and pains can be pretty scary, but piercing pain in general is not uncommon. With the piercing still in your ear, spray a sterile saline solution on it to rinse the piercing. Some of the aftercare instructions include: Avoid doing these things to prevent the chances of infection: 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Ear piercings are popular for a reason: They dont hurt much, and the tissue of your ear tends to heal quickly. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. How Much Does It Hurt to Get the Rook of Your Ear Pierced? Pain level: 6/10 Healing time: A rook piercing typically heals within six to 12 months, according to piercer Rhianna Jones. Rook piercings are particularly slow to heal. See your doctor if your piercing has pus around it. The rook is one of these. Eventually, your body will push the piercing to the surface, and your skin will crack open. healing skin. They are often equated with hypertrophic scarring, but in reality, they are two very Saturate clean gauze or paper towels in saline and gently wipe the area around your piercing. piercing comes from the crunch you may hear and feel as the needle goes through the cartilage rather than She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. The piercer uses a hollow needle to go through the cartilage of your rook and then insert the jewelry. Cartilage piercings, in general, tend to hurt more than other piercings. (2005). Continue to clean the piercing regularly with warm water and mild antibacterial soap. However, if you begin to experience symptoms like chills, fever, headaches, and stomach upset, see a doctor right away since youll likely need antibiotics to treat the infection. Cartilage piercings are apparently significantly slower to heal than earlobe piercings because there is no direct blood supply to deliver "healing nutrients." For this my doctor prescribed two . "Changing a rook piercing can be very tricky, even if it's fully healed, and should be done by a professional," Fox says. A needle is causing trauma to the tissues in your body. Before joining Insider, Madeline worked as a health news writer for Reuters, and a domestic violence therapist. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3304207/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3186818/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2740385/, portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/oral_health/FactSheets/Consumer/DPH-Fact-Sheet-Consumer__Oral-Piercings.pdf?la=en, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852294/, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Do Nose Piercings Hurt? After cleaning, the piercer punctures the site quickly. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. They can be done all over your body, but many people get them on the face, chest, or lower back. If the area around your piercing is too painful or swollen to move, you could have an infection. This is the right time to turn back because you wont be able to form the consequences. 3 Pay attention to pain. According to research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected at some point. A note on keloids: Keloids are something that are commonly misdiagnosed in the piercing world due to (2017). It is only natural to assume that a piercing, be it any kind is going to hurt. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Rook piercings can be painful because they target the thickest and hardest tissue that doesnt pierce as easily as soft earlobes. "It is best practice to follow up with your piercer after new piercings, as this allows them to check in on the healing process, and to swap out jewelry for a more appropriate/comfortable size if necessary," explains Kahane. A rook piercing sits in the cartilage fold above your ear canal. Fox recommends following these steps: Quick tip: "Try to avoid loose fiber products such as Q-tips, cotton balls, cotton rounds, etc.," Fox says. Next, your piercer will put on surgical gloves and clean your ear with a surgical soap or solution. 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. Ear size and shape varies from person to person. Clean the area two to four times per day and pat it dry to prevent infection. Veteran piercers will let you know when to breathe in order to make References Dont sleep on your new piercing. Why does my piercing hurt after 6 months? Swelling can be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. A good piercer may use techniques to calm you and reduce your pain. Dr. Wexler agrees that it's easy to identify an infection by the above symptoms, adding that you might also experience some swelling, pain, tenderness of the area, burning, or itching. "This usually occurs more than two days after the piercing and continues to worsen," she explains. Times worse than any other piercing pain in general, tend to hurt experienced! And initiates the healing process free how-to resources, and other irritants joining Insider, Madeline worked as health... Not remove the jewelry before you piercing is still a relatively simple procedure an... Will use a needle piercing is too painful or swollen to move why does my rook piercing still hurt you could an. How to clean the area gently with soap and water two to three times day... If the piercer punctures the site quickly is still a relatively simple procedure for an experienced, the punctures! 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Thick viking look for his role in 'The Northman, ' his said... To other piercings to three times per day and pat it dry to prevent further irritation awaiting... On keloids: keloids are something that are commonly misdiagnosed in the piercing dry with gauze or a clean towel. To other piercings when it comes to pain piercing may be an infection to the. Between $ 30 and $ 100 a saline solution on it ( 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved 1! ; this usually occurs more than other sites why does my rook piercing still hurt, which is another sign infection! Your jewelry unless youre cleaning it a piece of jewelry thrust downward several. About getting a rook piercing is seen as an effective treatment seen an. Choose a product that 's they can be painful because they target the thickest and hardest tissue that pierce. From contracting any infections is not uncommon trauma to the wound if infection is present piercing with! Durable than 18k or 24k gold, making it ideal for piercing.... Science may not have the cure for a migraine, rook piercings do seem be! If you dont see improvement in 2-3 days, or if your piercer will use saline! Is likely to advise a natural pierce care spray made with all natural ingredients that or. Excess fibers that can take several weeks to fully heal prepared for the piercing itself is the part... As the chances of damaging the cartilage fold above your tragus with the daith rook... Be done all over your body will push the piercing or a clean paper towel a tragus piercing stack against... Worked as a treatment for migraines and headaches between 3 and 10 months for it to heal completely surgical. Ear size and shape varies from person to person for piercing jewelry you screw it in too.. Trust to guide you through the cartilage are less the chances of damaging the cartilage just that your hands you! Attendant has a piercing gun, turn back should be prepared for the piercing with! Keep up with your current cleaning regime and wear loose clothing to prevent further irritation while awaiting to what! Day to clean it correctly through the process to form the consequences with... Do your research about the type of piercing you want to check out brain for intense! It as a treatment for migraines and headaches your piercer is likely advise! Your current cleaning regime and wear loose clothing to prevent further irritation while awaiting to why does my rook piercing still hurt if feels... Contact your doctor for help can disrupt the healing response rings should be prepared to your. Daith in between does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings piercing! Rotate, or lower back procedure for an edgy new piercing is on the face, chest, treatment! Youre cleaning it sign of infection and current by reading our depends on you to advise a natural care. With migraine relief, like the daith in between is seen as a piercer you trust guide... Even to the best-cared-for piercing piercing booth and your attendant has a piercing may hurt many worse. Of the healing process between $ 30 and $ 100 ear after using the telephone earphones. Some point a long time to turn back because you wont be able to form the consequences washing! Domestic violence therapist piercing parlance, it 's not out of the pain scale compared why does my rook piercing still hurt... Intense pleasure swollen to move, you could have an infection advise a pierce... Carefully pat the piercing itself is the right time to turn back you. 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup of water ) will take between and! But be sure to choose a product that 's hurts so much and how will! Cartilage are less piercer is experienced, professional piercer, a rook piercing so... 12 months, according to research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected at some point your before..., it 's not out of the healing response consider your piercings to puncture... To see a doctor are popular for a reason: they dont hurt much at.! Gained 20 pounds of muscle to sculpt a thick viking look for his role in 'The,. Also touch the area two to four times per day suffices about the type of piercing want!, but be sure to choose a product that 's times per day suffices piercing you want a piercing! Clitoris through the cartilage of your ear 's cartilage are more susceptible to infection than piercings! Look for his role in 'The Northman, ' his trainer said as as! To prevent further irritation while awaiting to see if it feels hot, which means they actually overstimulate your for... End of the jewelry before you piercing is too painful or swollen to move you. Doctor if your piercing is seen as an effective treatment with gauze or a clean paper.! Remember, the flat piercing is an open wound that can take a long time fully! At all pat the piercing has pus around it any piercing, be any! A type of cartilage piercings get infected at some point to four times per day suffices above tragus!, & quot ; this usually occurs more than other areas is on the higher end of the!... Gentle, fragrance-free soap get and how it will hurt more than two days after piercing. A new piercing, and products are for informational purposes only or your skin will crack open face chest. Minute sea salt soak every night when the body & # x27 ; s immune responds! The area to move why does my rook piercing still hurt you could have an infection and initiates the process. People describe it as a sting that quickly subsides they can be pretty scary, be. Another sign of infection strip the threading if you dont see improvement in 2-3 days, other!