Pseudomonas aeruginosa perichondritis associated with ear piercings
This guidance has been produced for cosmetic piercing businesses to help minimise the risk of perichondritis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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There are numerous published case reports in the academic literature about perichondritis associated with ear-piercing. Perichondritis is an infection of the skin and tissue covering the cartilage of the outer ear, which is often caused by bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa naturally live in water and should be assumed to be present, albeit at low levels. Ear piercing practices can transfer these bacteria from water (or items made up with water such as green soap, disinfectant solutions or aftercare saline solutions) to the site of a piercing. Piercing creates a breach in skin integrity and can damage the cartilage, which allows for the introduction of bacteria.
This guidance has been produced to raise awareness of this issue in the public domain and to encourage cosmetic piercing businesses to follow good infection, prevention and control practices to help minimise the risk of perichondritis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.