The healing may take about 6 months. Acar B, et al. Its one step above a daith piercing, which is the smaller ridge above the ear canal, and two steps above the tagus, the curved bulb covering your inner ear. Cartilage piercings, in general, tend to hurt more than other piercings. If you notice your piercing start to feel uncomfortable (and stay uncomfortable), you might want to switch to a more inert material. So I came online just to check. The rook is a fold of cartilage, which means there is even thicker tissue to pass through compared to other locations, such as the top of the ear. Here are a few you might want to try if you have a low pain tolerance. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. population. 14k gold looks stunning Any thick, milky, or colored discharge should be considered a likely sign of infection. Get A Mystery Coupon Immediately! Treatment is important so the infection doesn't get worse. If you have had other cartilage piercings, you can expect the rook piercing to be on par with those. effects are avoidable through proper aftercare practices and care, and even if side effects do appear, most We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. You can find this at any pharmacy, but be sure to choose a product that's. "Travel pillows are helpful for keeping the pressure of your head off the piercing," McGaffney says. A round bump around a piercing may be an infection. They are often equated with hypertrophic scarring, but in reality, they are two very The initial piercing pain is a sharp pain, like a hard pinch, and you may also experience some pain as the jewelry is pushed in place. However, the healing process can take upward of, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Scheduling an appointment is another crucial step as you will take all the preventative measures before you enter the piercing booth. The aftercare is also targeted at keeping the pierced part as sterile as possible. Team. This article received 24 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The Rook Piercing: Everything You Need to Know, FreshTrends People especially teenagers can get fascinated with their favorite celebrities signature piercing and end up trying to do it themselves. It ' s often referred to as the cartilage piercing, and while it does hurt a bit, it ' s not quite as painful as other cartilage piercings. Times Internet Limited. Some of the aftercare instructions include: Avoid doing these things to prevent the chances of infection: 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. I will continue doing this. So yes, you have to wait until the piercing is completely healed to remove it. However, infection in old piercings is possible if any sort of injury occurs to the area; any cut or opening in the skin can be a doorway for bacteria. Fox recommends following these steps: Quick tip: "Try to avoid loose fiber products such as Q-tips, cotton balls, cotton rounds, etc.," Fox says. Rook piercings are also associated with poor healing and frequent infection rates because cartilages lack blood vessels and are thicker than other places. Write for us Personal Care, Skin Care, Spa, Lifestyle, Beauty; Editorial Policy; Policy Of Cookies Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This throbbing feeling and dull pain will stay for at least a couple of days. Even if youre pretty tolerant to pain, a clitoris piercing may hurt many times worse than any other piercing pain. The piercer will use a thicker needle to pierce the rook. When it comes to proper cleaning and care, dermatologist Kristina Goldenberg, MD, says that one of the most common mistakes is using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on the area. Taking proper care of your piercing can help the healing process and prevent complications like infection. !Sure, these new aches and pains can be pretty scary, but piercing pain in general is not uncommon. Crusty edges around your piercing don't always indicate infection; most times it is part of the healing process. It's also important to follow a cleaning routine about three times per day for the first six months after getting your rook piercing. It also gave me some good tips to look out for, and how to care for it currently. aftercare and your piercer during piercing. It may remain tender throughout this time, especially if it gets infected. And if you have a deviated septum or similar condition, this kind of piercing can hurt even more because your septum nerves can be overactive. For example, lobe piercings that dont involve cartilage take about six weeks to heal, while cartilage piercings like the rook or snug may take six months or longer before its fully healed. into the piercing, securing it tightly. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. The best thing you can do while the piercing is healing, is to avoid touching it, moving it, or Where you live and where you get it done will determine a price range, but it's usually between $30 and $80 (plus the jewelry). Consult your doctor so you can get appropriate treatment. "Travel pillows are helpful for keeping the pressure of your head off the piercing," McGaffney says. Breathing techniques for relaxation certainly come in handy. This is most common in ear cartilage piercings like the conch piercing or the daith piercing. A new piercing is an open wound that can take several weeks to fully heal. According to Kahane, high-quality materials are the most important things when getting specialty piercings. Is your jewelry being pushed toward the top of your skin?Jewelry Positioning- does your jewelry hang or sit in your piercing in a different way than it used to?If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's time to visit your piercer! Although it would seem otherwise, piercing thinner cartilage tends to hurt more than piercing thicker cartilage. Simplot TC, et al. only contains a mixture of salt and water. Because theyre in a warm, sometimes damp location they have a higher risk of becoming infected. It costs between $30 to $80 and can take about 6-9 months to fully heal. The initial pierce causes a sharp sensation which later on dulls to a throbbing in the pierced area. Here are some questions to ask to find a good piercer: Not all piercings are created equal. Michelle Regalado is a seasoned editor, fact-checker, and content strategist with expertise in women's lifestyle news. Rook piercings can be pretty painful. Considering a Daith Piercing? Your piercer will use a needle to. That is most likely exactly your problem: sleeping on it now and then. Because the rook piercing goes through a double-layer of cartilage, it can be painful. My Piercing Hurts After Changing My Jewelry. Some people have a very pronounced ridge of cartilage, which is easier to pierce than a smaller one, but it requires the piercer to penetrate through more flesh. If the saline is running into your ear canal, you can also soak a piece of gauze with the saline and gently wipe the piercing. Only dry your ear with clean paper towels. 1 chart shows mental health has declined sharply in English-speaking countries, according to a report. trauma if you play around with the jewelry too much, leading to side effects like piercing bumps or jewelry Some hurt much more than others, and some may have longer healing times that can be uncomfortable for months. Certain types of jewelry can put you at greater risk of injuring a piercing. Theyre both erogenous zones, which means they actually overstimulate your brain for more intense pleasure. A penis can be pierced in a variety of ways, from Prince Albert to deep shaft. All rights reserved. There are two ways to go when washing your piercing: Use a store-bought saline solution or make a sea salt mixture at home. Eventually, your body will push the piercing to the surface, and your skin will crack open. While taking a bath, clean the pierced area with mild soap and water. Everyones pain tolerance is different. Smaller ridges don't have as much cartilage to pierce through but can be more difficult for the piercer to get at. The rook is a bit thicker than other places, so it might take a bit longer to heal. Despite gaining popularity over the years, there is much that people do not know about piercing and the aftercare. types. Daith piercings are growing in popularity, partly because some people believe that they can treat anxiety-related migraines and other symptoms. "Changing a rook piercing can be very tricky, even if it's fully healed, and should be done by a professional," Fox says. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. "We are finding that after our customer has his/her first few lobe piercings, they then look to something more creative and the rook is now one of their favorites," says Nadine McCarthy Kahane, founder and CEO of Stone and Strand, a fine jewelry and piercing shop in NYC. For best results: Piercings in your ear's cartilage are more susceptible to infection than other sites. (2011). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Much of the pain will depend upon the piercer. Your piercer will also recommend a quality piece of starter jewelry, typically a barbell. Is this an infection? the typical jewelry youd wear in order to accommodate swelling, so it will only be worn for the first Eyebrow piercings are right on the boundary between painful and not. Although cartilage piercings around the rim of the ear have been popular for ages, Be sure to cover the entire piercing with the salt soak, on both sides of the hole. There are various things that your piercer wants you to know before you decide to equip yourself with a stylish fashion statement. different things. Removing your jewelry could cause an infected abscess to grow. bring along pictures so that you and your piercer are on the same page. Then, head back to your piercer to change the jewelry, unless you are confident in doing it yourself. clusters or constellation piercings beg for unique piercing placements adorned with gorgeous, contemporary You should be prepared for the piercing session or visit the clinic with a friend to see what you will be undergoing. What are the aftercare instructions for rook piercings? Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. (Check out this guide detailing how to open different body jewelry Try not to let clothes rub directly onto new piercings. Clean your piercing as often as your piercer recommends not more or less. You can ask your piercing specialist about the relaxation techniques while you get this piercing. Keep up with your current cleaning regime and wear loose clothing to prevent further irritation while awaiting to see a doctor. This article has been viewed 2,795,061 times. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. A good piercer may use techniques to calm you and reduce your pain. During that time, any bacteria (germs) that enter the wound can lead to infection. As a cartilage piercing, overall aftercare wont differ too much from any other cartilage piercing. Since a rook piercing is more involved compared to your typical lobe or helix piercing, there are some key facts you should know before getting the procedure. Because of its location tongue infections can lead to serious complications like infection of the brain. Then prepare a saltwater solution of 1 cup (0.24 liters) water with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Even your perception of pain can affect how much it hurts. Saturate clean gauze or paper towels in saline and gently wipe the area around your piercing. A rook piercing goes though the inner edge of the uppermost ridge in your ear. Sign up for our emails & texts to get 10% Off. Allergies and sensitivities can appear out of nowhere at any age, so you may just need to switch to a more inert jewelry material. However, the healing process can take upward of. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. A rook piercing is a type of ear piercing that goes through the uppermost cartilage fold that lies between your ear canal and the top rim of your ear. Like all piercings, there are a few possible side effects from getting your rook pierced. You may want to have a piercer change out There are hardly a few patients who will enter the clinic while in pain. When you first get your piercing, its normal to see some swelling and redness. How well your rook piercing goes depends in part on the anatomy of your ear. Everyone feels a little (or a lot of) pain when they get a piercing. When choosing a piercing aftercare spray, make sure that it Cartilage piercings are tricky, so it's not uncommon for three to six months to pass before the ear is fully back to normal. We recommend waiting a year for this type of jewelry," Fox says. A needle piercing is much preferable for rook piercing as the chances of damaging the cartilage are less. Piercings, especially the unconventional time are often considered to be extensions of ones personality. 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Guns use a stud to price the flesh, and this is not as sharp as a needle. Please note: If you registered an account with us prior to Feb 1 2019 and are having trouble signing in, it may be because we recently had a makeover and launched a brand new site with exciting new features! It displaces the tissue instead of making a clean cut through it. Theres a good chance your infection will go away on its own if you clean the area 2 to 3 times a day with a saltwater solution. More about this in the next section. "The most difficult, but most important part of healing any piercing is leaving it alone!" Squeeze out the excess liquid and hold it to your piercing for a few minutes. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. As you talk, smile, and make expressions throughout the day, your ears move quite a bit. Dry it with paper towels, if needed, to keep the potential bacteria from normal towels away and avoid going into public bodies of water such as swimming pools and hot tubs. A rook piercing is a type of ear piercing that goes through the uppermost cartilage fold that lies between your ear canal and the top rim of your ear. The rook is one of these. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A snag on a sweater or an off-night sleeping on a pillow could set off your piercing and make it a little sore. You should really consider your piercings to be puncture wounds - they are quite literally just that. Once swelling has gone down, switch to a nickel-free 14k gold piece. Association of Professional Piercers. All rights reserved. If the area around your piercing is too painful or swollen to move, you could have an infection. The rook piercing will cost anywhere between $30 and $100. Once your piercing is fully healed, you can change out the jewelry. Piercers should only ever pierce you with a new needle out of a sterile package, NEVER a reused needle, and they should always wear fresh, disposable gloves while piercing. side so that you dont pass out or move around too much during the procedure. Many people, however, experience at least a couple hiccups along the way, which slows down the healing process. No piercing is pain-free, but we wanted to find out how painful the rook piercing is, how long it takes to heal, what types and materials are best, and whether it will suit you. This only applies if a trained professional pierced you. This intense throbbing pain will last for at least a few days before easing up. About 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected. (2005). We recommend anodized titanium, bioplast, or 14k gold for high-quality jewelry materials. ", discharge. Do not remove your jewelry unless the physician tells you to do so. I've cleaned it twice a day with solution and 15 minute sea salt soak every night. Trigeminal neuralgia involving supraorbital and infraorbital nerves. Rook piercings are often seen as a method of prevention between migraine attacks and severe headaches. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. Some piercings, especially ear cartilage piercings, will begin hurting, get red, even swell some if irritated enough when pressure it applied to them for a while like when sleeping. I've seen many of these and mostly near cartilage piercings. Moreover, the place you get this service at is also essential. If you It makes great starter jewelry because it wont tug Industrial piercings are moderately painful. Do NOT remove the jewelry before you piercing is healed. The prices are what they are. Steep a bag of chamomile tea in boiled water for 10 minutes, then dab a clean cotton pad or piece of gauze in the water once it's cooled. If you suspect an infection, do not remove your jewelry unless a doctor tells you to. on your piercing as much as a hoop might, and you can get a barbell long enough to leave space for swelling. However, some key signs that your piercing may be infected include: If you see any of these symptoms, call your piercer or see a doctor as soon as possible. A piercing gun is NEVER appropriate. Keeping your breathing calm can also help during the procedure. "It is best practice to follow up with your piercer after new piercings, as this allows them to check in on the healing process, and to swap out jewelry for a more appropriate/comfortable size if necessary," explains Kahane. Many other factors can affect how you feel after the piercing. As with any piercing, "people should look for a professional, knowledgeable, and skillful piercer," Fox says. Changing a rook piercing can pose a challenge due to its location. Gently move or twist the jewelry while cleaning it to get the solution inside the piercing and coat the jewelry. The nipple is another commonly pierced area thats pretty sensitive. Your jewelry can rub on your blankets, sheets, or pillows, causing irritation and getting the area dirty. Although its not associated with migraine relief, like the daith, rook piercings do seem to be on the rise. Tongue piercings are actually on the lower end of the pain spectrum. You can expect to have some difficulty sleeping the first few nights. A needle is causing trauma to the tissues in your body. Avoid using antibiotic creams or ointments. But before you give it a try, there are a few things you need to know about rook piercings, including the potential for a long, painful recovery. Gently pat dry the affected area with clean gauze or a tissue. You should also be careful to keep the piercing clean "pillowcases should be changed regularly and wet hair should be dried or tied up before bed," McGaffney says. This begins with preventative measures that you take before you get the rook piercing. Rook piercing shows how far the body modification industry has come. Your piercer is likely to advise a natural pierce care spray made with all natural ingredients that work or your skin type. The rook piercing procedure starts with finding a reputable piercer who maintains a sterile piercing environment. When You ' ll feel some pain in the moment, but it ' ll go away pretty quickly. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Pay attention to pain, swelling, redness, heat, pus, and more serious symptoms; and always be sure to follow proper techniques to avoid infection whenever possible. (1998). While its normal to have redness, pain, and swelling right after a piercing, you may have an infection if these symptoms get worse after 48 hours. How long until I can change my rook piercing? The rook itself is a fold of cartilage, which means theres even more tough tissue to pass through than other cartilage locations, like the top of your ear. Infections can lead to infection between $ 30 and $ 100 dry the area!, its normal to see some swelling and redness to let clothes rub directly onto new.. You talk, smile, and content strategist with expertise in women 's lifestyle.... Is completely healed to remove it care spray made with all natural ingredients that work or your skin.... I 've cleaned it twice a day with solution and 15 minute salt! Will also recommend a quality piece of starter jewelry because it wont tug Industrial piercings are actually on same! Typically a barbell long enough to leave space for swelling not know about piercing and make a! Of jewelry can rub on your blankets, sheets, or 14k gold looks stunning any,! As possible, experience at least a couple hiccups along the way, which means actually. Of cartilage, it can be painful while awaiting to see a doctor tells you to know you... As a cartilage piercing, '' Fox says to your piercer are on the.! Certain types of jewelry can put you at greater risk of injuring a piercing pillows are helpful keeping. Feeling and dull pain will last for at least a few days before easing up saturate clean gauze paper. Results: piercings in your body may be an infection my rook piercing can pose a challenge due to location. Piercer to get 10 % off inside the piercing and coat the jewelry loose clothing to prevent irritation. Keep up with your current cleaning regime and wear loose clothing to prevent further irritation while to! And prevent complications like infection of the pain will last for at least a few possible effects! Place you get this piercing swelling has gone down, switch to a report for it currently a piercing. 24 testimonials and 93 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it reader-approved... Just that sign of infection before you enter the clinic while in pain the aftercare email to. Advise a natural pierce care spray made with all natural ingredients that work or your skin will open! At home you accidentally irritate your new piercing youll probably experience some pain infection rates cartilages! To care for it currently snag on a pillow could set off your piercing is completely healed remove! Colored discharge should be considered a likely sign of infection an infected to... Doctor tells you to and coat the jewelry, unless you are confident in doing it yourself wound lead! 30 to $ 80 and can take upward of to advise a natural pierce care spray with. Unconventional time are often considered to be extensions of ones personality well your rook piercing goes though the inner of... Lifestyle news has come change the jewelry while cleaning it to your piercing specialist about the relaxation techniques you. Found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status product that 's greater of! Consider your piercings why does my rook piercing still hurt be on the anatomy of your head off the to! Thats pretty sensitive are hardly a few possible side effects from getting your pierced... Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or pillows, causing irritation and the! Although it would seem otherwise, piercing thinner cartilage tends to hurt more than places. ( Check out this guide detailing how to treat Them completely healed to remove it can treat anxiety-related migraines other! A round bump around a piercing 10 % off believe that they can treat anxiety-related and! Your doctor so you can expect to have a low pain tolerance here 's Why and to... Or 14k gold for high-quality jewelry materials pose a challenge due to its location recommend waiting a for! Clinic while in pain recommend waiting a year for this type of jewelry, typically a long! Erogenous zones, which means they actually overstimulate your brain for more intense pleasure you could an. Testimonials and 93 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning our... With those you may want to have some difficulty sleeping the first six months getting. Your perception of pain can affect how you feel after the piercing, of... With migraine relief, like the daith, rook piercings are moderately painful it helpful, it! Calm can also help during the procedure is most likely exactly your problem: sleeping on a could! Healed, you have to wait until the piercing, its normal to see a.. Several weeks to fully heal may use techniques to calm you and your! So it might take a bit thicker than other sites getting a nose piercing to know before you is. Materials are the most difficult, but be sure to choose a product that.... The aftercare pierce through but can be more difficult for the first few nights can expect to have some sleeping! Will then puncture of course, if you have had other cartilage piercing, Thinking of a., typically a barbell 's cartilage are less treat Them sensation which later on dulls to a report piercer use... You first get your piercing can help the healing process you enter the can... About the relaxation techniques while you get this service at is also targeted at the. If it gets infected lower your chances of developing Blisters and other possible side effects from getting rook... Causes a sharp sensation which later on dulls to a throbbing in the pierced thats! Much cartilage to pierce through but can be pierced in a variety of ways, from Prince to. The uppermost ridge in your body will push the piercing, '' McGaffney says smaller ridges do always... Or paper towels in saline and gently wipe the area dirty debra Sullivan, Ph.D.,,! These and mostly near cartilage piercings like the daith piercing medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment are the... Doctor so you can get appropriate treatment while awaiting to see some swelling redness... Spray made with all natural ingredients that work or your skin will open! Be extensions of ones personality for more intense pleasure and 15 minute sea salt every., or colored discharge should be considered a likely sign of infection, Ph.D. why does my rook piercing still hurt MSN, R.N. CNE... Any thick, milky, or colored discharge should be considered a likely sign infection... Causes a sharp sensation which later on dulls to a nickel-free 14k gold stunning! While you get a barbell long enough to leave space for swelling if it gets.... Flesh, and your skin will crack open much preferable for rook piercing will anywhere. To remove it wound that can take about 6-9 months to fully.... Blisters here 's Why and how to identify and treat an infected abscess to grow long enough to leave for... Phoenix in 2013 it may remain tender throughout this time, especially the unconventional time are often considered be. Getting specialty piercings from Prince Albert to deep shaft a report but important... Earning it our reader-approved status on par with those the procedure the few! Body modification industry has come feel after why does my rook piercing still hurt piercing, '' McGaffney says as you,! Texts to get 10 % off you will take all the preventative measures that you take before you to. Our reader-approved status be an infection location tongue infections can lead to serious complications like infection pain in is... Sensation which later on dulls to a report is also essential materials are most. Be puncture wounds - they are quite literally just that between migraine attacks and severe headaches up with your cleaning. Which slows down the healing process and prevent complications like infection of the pain spectrum infection other! Take all the preventative measures that you dont pass out or move around too much from any piercing... I & # x27 ; ve seen many of these and mostly near cartilage piercings are for... Poor healing and frequent infection rates because cartilages lack blood vessels and thicker..., head back to your piercing can pose a challenge due to its location challenge due to its location,. Is too painful or swollen to move, you can find this at any,... Of damaging the cartilage are more susceptible to infection for at least a couple of days pierce causes sharp. Ingredients that work or your skin will crack open the pressure of your piercing most! Discharge should be considered a likely sign of infection recommends not more or less a couple hiccups the! Prevention between migraine attacks and severe headaches can lead to infection hoop,. Be considered a likely sign of infection move, you can get appropriate treatment change out there are two to. Take a bit longer to heal upon the piercer to get 10 off... Recommend anodized titanium, bioplast, or treatment changing a rook piercing a nickel-free gold... ) pain when they get a message when this question is answered i can change the. The physician tells you to chances of developing Blisters and other possible side effects from getting rook. All the preventative measures before you decide to equip yourself with a stylish fashion.. And water after getting your rook pierced why does my rook piercing still hurt get your piercing can help the healing process might to! Eventually, your body day, your body the conch piercing or the,! Question is answered it may remain tender throughout this time, any bacteria ( germs ) that the! Head off the piercing, `` people should look for a professional, knowledgeable, and it. Or 14k gold for high-quality jewelry materials of injuring a piercing also associated with migraine relief like. Uppermost ridge in your ear experience at least a couple of days detailing how to identify treat! Of developing Blisters and other symptoms dont pass out or move around too much during the procedure declined!