The practice of ear gauging may be associated with a number of complications.
Ear gauging consists of slowly expanding an ear piercing by inserting a series of ever-enlarging plugs. Over a period of months the opening can become very large.
Complications:
(1) infection
(2) hematoma
(3) keloid
(4) large defect that can result in later regret
(5) tissue tear during traumatic event
Risk factors for complications:
(1) being inexperienced or failing to heed advice
(2) trying to hurry the process
(3) proceeding before the site has completely healed
(4) using an improper expander
(5) lacking cleanliness
(6) selecting a suboptimal site (going through cartilage, other)
(7) doing while intoxicated
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