I've had the back of an earring embedded in my left ear lobe for over 10years. What will have to be done to have it removed?

It should be easy to place some local anesthetic in this earlobe and remove the embedded piece. Your earlobe should not need to be removed. It is likely this can be done with a minor in office procedure without much down time or expense.

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

This is not as uncommon as you might think. I've performed removal of embedded earring backs from earlobes many times.  It is typically straightforward, requiring a small incision on the back of the earlobe, which can be done under local anesthesia in the clinic.  Good luck!

These sort of things can happen - you are not alone!The good news is that this can be done in the office with only a local anesthetic. Aside from the numbing shot, you shouldn't feel any pain during the procedure. Also, there is no need to remove your earlobe!hope this helps.dr. silver

Fortunately your earlobe does not need to be removed, and in fact the scarring and associated discomfort should be minimal.  The affected earlobe can be injected with local anesthetic and the retained earring identified and removed through a small incision.  There will be a few stitches removed a week later.  The entire procedure will likely take 30 minutes or less in the office.  Best of luck.

This sounds like it should be a fairly straightforward procedure for you.  Under local anesthesia, the back of the earring, as a foreign body, should be able to be removed without any problems and the area most likely closed with some sutures.  This can even be done in an office setting.  Best wishes.

Removal of an earlobe foreign body is a relatively straight forward procedure. The lobe is first numbed with local anesthetic via two or three injections with a very fine needle. Next, an incision is made that provides the best access to the object and the best cosmetic location. Long term foreign bodies will have a capsule around it that is usually removed with the object. Deep sutures are placed followed by skin sutures. Downtime will be minimal and you can expect a very inconspicuous scar.Thank you for your question.

Butterfly clips from the back of earrings and other piercings can become embedded under the skin. They do not usually do any real harm but can be painful or tender and act as a focus for infection. Removal of the clip is usually very straight forward. A small injection of local anaesthetic is made on the back of the earlobe and the clip is removed. No the earlobe does not need to be removed! The wound will usually be closed with a stitch. Most people would find the procedure a bit uncomfortable but not overly painful. I suggest you find a suitably trained and experienced plastic surgeon and seek their opinion.Best wishes.

I have treated many patients with this same issue. 10 years maybe the longest time though. The solution is a simple in office procedure. The earlobe will be numbed within seconds with a small injection. The the earring stud is identified and pulled out. The earlobe will likely be left to heal on its own or you may require a couple stitches. It will heal up well.  I recommend that you see a board-certified facial plastic surgeon - If you are near Charlotte I highly recommend Dr. Josh Surowitz. I wish you the best, Dr Ardeshirpour

Thanks for your question. The earring back should be able to be removed in the office through a fairly simple procedure. Typically, I would inject a local anesthetic in the ear to numb it. Through an incision in the ear lobe, the backing can then be removed. I hope this helps.