Earlobes may not seem crucial, when one is torn, they can be disfiguring. The soft cartilage can easily be torn and will often heal oddly, which can be embarrassing for some people. To repair an earlobe, minor cosmetic surgery is needed to make the two pieces whole again.
Causes of Torn Earlobes
The most common cause of torn earlobes is earrings. Heavy earrings can stretch the holes in the earlobe and create a thin piece of cartilage holding the jewelry in place. Add extra pressure of talking on the phone or wearing headphones, and the hole can become even larger. It can only take a slight tug on an earring to tear through the thin cartilage, leaving the earlobe in two pieces.
Earlobes can also be torn due to trauma or other injuries, especially when the ears are pierced. An earring can get caught during an accident and tear through the lobe.
Undergoing Earlobe Surgery
The good news is that torn earlobe repair can be done quickly by a plastic surgeon. In most cases, the lobe can be carefully sewn back together during an office visit. Local anesthesia is usually all that is needed while the surgeon puts the pieces of the lobe back together. If done successfully, some people can wear earrings again once the lobe has been completely healed, although they may need to have the lobe re-pierced.
If you have an earlobe that has torn or been disfigured, call a local plastic surgeon that specializes in cosmetic ear repairs. Most earlobes can be repaired quickly and made whole again with an outpatient cosmetic procedure to fix the damaged cartilage.
Posted on behalf of:
Maurice M. Khosh, MD, FACS
580 Park Avenue, Suite 1BE
New York, NY 10065
212-339-9988