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verification. (February 2011) |
Tragus piercing | |
---|---|
Location | Tragus |
Jewelry | Barbell, captive bead ring |
Healing | 12 to 52 weeks (3 to 12 months) |
A tragus piercing is the perforation of the tragus, which projects immediately in front of the ear canal, for the purpose of inserting and wearing a piece of jewelry. The piercing itself is usually made with a small gauge hollow piercing needle, and typical jewelry would be a small diameter captive bead ring or small gauge post style piercing jewelry. A related piercing is known as the antitragus piercing.
The popularity of tragus piercings began to increase around 2005, according to a BBC report. [1]
In different cultures, the piercing of the tragus was accompanied by various rituals and ceremonies. For example, in ancient Egypt, tragus piercing symbolized belonging to the upper classes and was obligatory for some estates. [2] In ancient Greece and Rome, tragus piercings adorned heroes and warriors, giving them extra strength and courage. [3]
Barbells, captive bead rings and flat-backed earring studs are the most common types of jewelry worn in tragus piercings. [4]
The hollow, low-gauge needle used for the piercing can be either straight or curved, depending on the piercer's preference. Tragus piercings are generally not very painful, due to the small number of nerve endings in the tragus, but the sound made may be uncomfortable due to its proximity to the eardrum. [5] [6] Most tragus piercings will take between 3 and 6 months to heal, however some might take up to 12 months to be fully healed.
Ear cartilage infections (perichondritis) are more common in the area of the goiter than in earlobe piercings. [7] However, the assertion that facial nerve injury with irreversible facial nerve palsy can occur with the piercing of the goiter is devoid of any anatomical basis. [8] [9]
Tragus piercing consequences involve inflammation that only occurs due to trauma. Mechanical traumatization prevents punctures from fully healing, especially fresh punctures where the tissue is very delicate. A recent tragus puncture and headphones is a very bad combination that will definitely lead to inflammation, you will have to refrain from wearing headphones for 3-4 weeks from the time of puncture. So can healing problems if you have a weakened immune system. Therefore, it is advisable to be mindful of your health and keep an eye on your piercing.
Like any other type of piercing, Tragus has a number of contraindications, to the most serious can be attributed: [10] [11]