Can this tear in my earlobe heal by itself since it did not split all the way? (Photos)

Question

Can this tear in my earlobe heal on itself since it did not split all the way? I just noticed it the other day, and the tear did not go all the way through. Can this heal on its own? Or do I need surgery?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office repairs earlobes after a traumatic tear of earrings, gauge piercings, or after a facelift in which the earlobes are stretched. Earlobe surgery is composed of several techniques that can either repair torn earlobes (split earlobes) or correct overly redundant earlobe tissue from piercings or genetics or stretching. Our HIDEF earlobe repair includes a recontouring of the earlobe contour using multi-layered sutures to reapproximate the curvature of the earlobe; while simultaneously restoring contour to the ear. In patients with pixie ears after facelift surgery, an alternate technique is used to reduce the dependance of the earlobe on the facelift flap. Facelift surgery can reshape the earlobe and this requires restoration. Sutures are usually taken out within 10 days and the wound is repierced in 4-6 weeks thereafter. Keloid scars must be addressed in patients with known history for scarring.

Keloids are another major reason to undergo earlobe repair if there is a keloid scar nodule that has developed in the earlobe or ear cartilage rim. We use a combination of lasers, injections, and keloid surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Keloids are another major reason to undergo earlobe repair if there is a keloid scar nodule that has developed in the earlobe or ear cartilage rim. We use a combination of lasers, injections, and keloid surgery.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Alexander Q. Ereso, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and posting your photos. Your earlobe has an incomplete or partial cleft. Those with a split all the way have a complete cleft. This occurs due to wearing heavy earrings on trauma from tugging at the earrings. Unfortunately, the cleft will not close spontaneously on their own. If you continue to wear heavy earrings, the cleft will lengthen. The size of the cleft may prevent you from wearing studs as they may fall thru. There are some temporizing measures for those that do not want surgery including the placement of filler, however, undergoing a repair of the cleft would be the most definitive repair. Good luck!

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

unless it just happened, and there is fresh bleeding edges, the tear won't typically heal on its own.  but they can be easily treated in a small in office procedure.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The hole on the ear is unlikely to heal on its own.  You would need the small hole to be removed and then sutured so the skin can heal back together.  This is a minor procedure, taking 30 minutes, performed under local anaesthetic.  All The Best

Jordan Cain, MD · Answer

This is a great question that I have heard several times before. When a tear occurs in the earlobe, the edges of the tear become lined with new skin, which prevents the tear from being able to heal on its own. The only way to get this hole to close is to remove the small amount of skin lining the tear, then suturing the fresh edges together so that they can heal properly. This is a quick and simple procedure that is typically able to be performed in the office with a small amount of local anesthesia. The ear is generally able to be re-pierced about 6 weeks later. If you are interested in undergoing this procedure, I recommend contacting a board-certified facial plastic surgeon for consultation.
Best wishes,

Joel M. Stewart, Jr., MD · Answer

Unfortunately, this type of tear will not heal. The area will remain large and might progress depending on time and the weight of ear rings on the ear lobe.
A repair will be able to make a normal small hole again. 
Best of luck.

Andrew G. Silver, MD · Answer

This likely wont get any better without surgical repair. The good news is that it can even be done in the office with a local anesthetic (no
operating room necessary).

I generally have
patients wait at least a couple of months before re-piercing the ears, and this
is something I do for them.

Hope this helps!
dr. silver

Mehdi Sina, MD · Answer

Hi,
This is a common problem. Whether it is from trauma or over time from heavy earrings, the piercings can stretch. Unfortunately, they typically do not heal on their own. In my practice, we repair these under local anesthesia using a z-plasty to close the opening and re-pierce the ear. 
Mehdi Sina, MD

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. It would be extremely unlikely that your piercing in that location would close on its own. Once the tract has been formed and lined with skin, the skin edges will not grow back to one another. A simple surgery is required to remove the skin lining that opening, and then repairing the edges back together. I hope that helps.

Omar Fouda Neel, MD, FRCSC, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry, Unfortunately this type of small tear will not heal back to the way it was prior. You will need to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a minor surgery. It is typically done under local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes.

Can this tear in my earlobe heal by itself since it did not split all the way? (Photos)

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