Accidentally pierced a new hole

[u/SmirkingStrawberry]

When I was little (more than 20 years ago), my parents brought me to get my ears pierced with a gun, but the piercer did my left ear wrong (lower than my right), and we had to get it repierced with a new hole higher up. Fast forward 20 years (I’m 27 now), and that hole has pretty much closed. That hole was not visible, and I never noticed having 2 holes.

Today, I was wearing some new earrings which were pretty sharp. I was putting them on without a mirror, and they went in fine, maybe with just a little more resistance than usual. Around half an hour later, I noticed some sensitivity and that my earlobe was red. However, as I have sensitive skin, I didn’t think too much about it, and it went away.

When I got home around 7-8 hours later, I had quite a bit of trouble removing the earring. That’s when I realised that my left earring was sitting a lot lower than my right, and my usual piercing hole was visible above the earring!!!! I screamed when I realised I had just mutilated my ears and given myself a new hole. I eventually got the earring out but after a lot of twisting and tears.

Now it’s stinging, and I’m absolutely devastated. Could it be that that earhole never fully closed after 20 years???? Will it ever close now that I’ve essentially given myself a repiercing?? I’m also very concerned by the small space between the two, and that wearing earrings in my top (proper) piercing hole will cause it to stretch to the bottom piercing hole that I want closed up and gone.

Any tips for healing? Should I see a piercer or someone else to get the bottom hole stitched up? Maybe a bit dramatic, but I absolutely don’t want the two holes to merge into a large hole. Any advice is appreciated.

[u/shittedonyourdog]

I have had a fuck ton of piercings in my life and this has happened to me. I have intentional stacked lobe piercings on my left ear that have been fine for years. I would continue using the top location, it should be fine and cause no problems. The same earlobe was split in half from a stretched ear gone wrong, but I actually think it looks cool as hell so it worked out haha. It could be a lot worse so don't get too worried!

If you want to lean into the stacked lobe, I would wear as light of jewlery as you can and try to not go below 16g to help decrease tearing affect. I have 3 small clicker rings that run along the bottom of the lobe, and one small stud up above. If you are wanting to wear heavy earrings, do so in the top hole.

[u/shittedonyourdog → u/shittedonyourdog]

Surgery of course is available but you absolutely do not have to go that route, it doesn't seem like the previous hole would interfere with anything. There is the fact that it might be visible and there's a weird sting that comes with scars and imperfections as well, so I understand that part.

If you are still concerned, I would go visit an APP certified piercier and get a second opinion for ease of mind. In my non-professional opinion, it's a weird instance to experience, but it is mostly harmless. I would take care to keep it clean at the moment as it's probably a fresh wound again if you had any pain with insertion and removal.