Rook piercings are no exception to the pain that most traditional 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. As a cartilage piercing, overall aftercare wont differ too much from any other cartilage piercing. This might be a sign that the infection is worsening and moving to larger areas of your body. If youre looking for an edgy new piercing, the rook is one spot you may want to check out. According to research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected at some point. It is always advisable to try to avoid sleeping on any new ear piercing until fully healed as it can cause problems and delay the healing," notes Jones. An experienced piercer will most likely have you lay on your 3 Pay attention to pain. It may also turn bright red or pink . "As with any piercing, this is dependent on how well you follow your aftercare and your general health. Pain Relief. Belly rings get moved when you bend over; nipple piercings get jostled while you change your clothes; tongue piercings even have food pass over them. All rights reserved. As recommended by our experts, you should wait until the piercing is completely healed, usually six to 12 months. "Changing a rook piercing can be very tricky, even if it's fully healed, and should be done by a professional," Fox says. 18 Things to Consider Before Taking the Plunge. What are the aftercare instructions for rook piercings? The rook is two steps above your tragus and it also has the daith in between. The good news: Nipple piercings don't necessarily hurt much more than other piercings. After that your piercer will insert your starter jewelry into the new hole, which may be the most painful part. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Only use anything else if your piercer or doctor has recommended it. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. You'll also, There are many different ways to pierce the penis, and each piercing has its own name. being said, the pain is quick, and much of the discomfort reported by those who have gotten the rook Cozmo Faris is a professional piercer with more than 12 years of experience who teaches for the Association of Professional Piercers. See your doctor right away if you have any full-body symptoms like nausea, vomiting, chills, dizziness, or confusion. 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. Rook Piercing Placement: The upper part of the ear on the ridge between the outer and inner sections of the ear. Most of these side Walk out if you see a piercing gun. 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. Be gentle while cleaning the ear. "Dangly jewelry or snug fitted rings should be avoided. However, There are some things you need to take care of after rook piercing. Association of Professional Piercers. Pain will vary based on piercing location. Moreover, the place you get this service at is also essential. Different bumps that may affect the rook include: See a doctor if you notice any signs of infection. "Changing a rook piercing can be very tricky, even if it's fully healed, and should be done by a professional," Fox says. About 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected. trauma if you play around with the jewelry too much, leading to side effects like piercing bumps or jewelry If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or any other strange symptoms, the best course of action is always to schedule an in-person consult with your piercer ASAP. types. Complications of body piercing. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. Pay close attention to infections in facial or oral piercings; their proximity to the brain makes them especially dangerous. To change the jewelry, simply open it up, feel for the hole with your fingers, then gently slide the jewelry Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Penis Piercing, Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Clitoris Glans or Hood Piercing, Everything You Need to Know About Guiche Piercing, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? 1. The area of the piercing is red and swollen. She has a master's degree in social work from UPenn and is interested in the intersection of health and social justice. A needle piercing is much preferable for rook piercing as the chances of damaging the cartilage are less. A piercing gun is NEVER appropriate. Leaving an infected rook piercing untreated could lead to an larger abscess filled with pus or a systemic infection, in which the infection spreads throughout your body]. Infection: This is a less-common happening in a completely healed piercing, but it's not out of the question! The clitoris is also quite sensitive and contains thousands of nerve endings. Join our mailing list & get 10% off your first purchase. getting this piercing, make 100% sure that youre asking for the piercing that you want. It will take between 3 and 10 months for it to heal completely. As with any piercing, "people should look for a professional, knowledgeable, and skillful piercer," Fox says. Heres What You Need to Know About Pain and Healing Time, Considering a Conch Piercing? 14k gold looks stunning Dont skimp on price. Some hurt much more than others, and some may have longer healing times that can be uncomfortable for months. You can also take a friend or family member with you to take your mind off the procedure at hand. Daith Piercing for Anxiety: Does It Work? If your piercing starts to change in appearance Don't wait. A larger piece of jewelry will give your skin enough space to swell. This response leads to inflammation, which is what causes the bump. If the area around your piercing is too painful or swollen to move, you could have an infection. I just finished a cleanse with some rubbing alcohol, and my ears feel a lot cleaner. There are. This reduces the chance theyll get infected or have painful complications, too. Without proper aftercare, your piercing will likely become infected and fail within a few weeks. The Rook Piercing: Everything You Need to Know, FreshTrends Be sure to cover the entire piercing with the salt soak, on both sides of the hole. Say for example you bought a cartilage stud instead of a labret stud - although they might look identical, the cartilage stud is smaller, and may put more pressure on your lip piercing than a correctly-sized labret stud. An infected ear piercing may be red, swollen, sore, warm, itchy or tender. For most people getting a piercing is a spur-of-the-moment decision while they are out with friends. You should really consider your piercings to be puncture wounds - they are quite literally just that. If everything goes right, your cartilage should heal up in four to six weeks. Do not use any soaps or ointments on a piercing you suspect is infected! Complications of body piercing. 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! !Sure, these new aches and pains can be pretty scary, but piercing pain in general is not uncommon. People especially teenagers can get fascinated with their favorite celebrities signature piercing and end up trying to do it themselves. It may remain tender throughout this time, especially if it gets infected. 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. "I will always work with each client to try to position jewelry to best complement both their anatomy and any existing piercings," she says. We'll go over what you need to, Piercing your rook may seem like a great idea, but it's important to be aware that it's one of the most painful types of ear piercings. (2010). Pat drying is the best way to dry the pierced area after washing it. Because of its location tongue infections can lead to serious complications like infection of the brain. Some less common ear piercings hurt more because the cartilage is thicker and more nerve dense, such as: Some ear piercings can fully heal in less than a month if you take care of them properly. Fox recommends following these steps: Quick tip: "Try to avoid loose fiber products such as Q-tips, cotton balls, cotton rounds, etc.," Fox says. You also need to be aware of the potential for a painful infection or other side effects. Why does my piercing hurt after 6 months? The rook piercing is one of the most painful ear piercings because it passes through a double layer of cartilage this means it may take extra long to heal too. Touching. Your piercer will use a needle to. How does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings when it comes to pain? misunderstanding. A good piercer may use techniques to calm you and reduce your pain. It's also important to follow a cleaning routine about three times per day for the first six months after getting your rook piercing. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Pain level: 6/10 Healing time: A rook piercing typically heals within six to 12 months, according to piercer Rhianna Jones. We recommend waiting a year for this type of jewelry," Fox says. Preform a sea salt bath once per day by dissolving salt into warm (not hot) distilled or bottled water. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. its location within the folds of the cartilage make it a difficult piercing to access for both you during that sport charms, opals, or other fun beads. Rookpiercings are safeas long as they are done by a professional using a sterile technique. A septum piercing (the tissue between your nostrils) can hurt a lot for a short time but heals quickly because the septum is so thin. of them are not permanent. ", was! If you dont like where they marked, tell them where youd prefer it. Use a saline solution meant for wound care. Nose piercings are more common than ever, but it's still important to consider a few things before joining the club. They are often equated with hypertrophic scarring, but in reality, they are two very My sister had to let hers grow out for the same problem. different things. You may have difficulty sleeping for the first few nights. Find a store-bought saline solution or spray and use it at least twice a day to clean the area. The pierced area may feel hot to the touch. Any thick, milky, or colored discharge should be considered a likely sign of infection. This is seen as alternative medicine. For the initial healing period, Jones recommends using a bar, but you can choose either a bar or hoop, unlike the daith, which is better suited to a hoop. Do not move the jewelry around the piercing as this can reopen the wound and cause it to get infected. Remember, the piercing itself is the easy part the real work comes later. Rook piercing infections are in fact quite rare, and if you have gotten the procedure from a valid place, there is hardly any chance of your ear getting affected. Do industrial piercings hurt a lot? Also, let your piercer know just in case the establishment monitors infection rates. Keeping your breathing calm can also help during the procedure. More about this in the next section. Some people have a very thin ridge of the cartilage which is certainly little difficult to pierce, while larger ridges are easier to pierce. ", my right nostril pierced, and I obviously did not take proper care of it, because it was always red around it and there was a bit of pus. Certain types of jewelry can put you at greater risk of injuring a piercing. Bumps are, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Certain types of jewelry can put you at greater risk of injuring a piercing. Some piercings arent known to hurt much at all. Your piercer will use a needle to puncture the rook. Rook piercings can be pretty painful. The piercer will use a thicker needle to pierce the rook. 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. Heres what you should know about the, The guiche piercing is a unique, exciting piercing that can enhance your visual or sexual sensations when you look at it or play with it alone or with, New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. Check with your state legislation about what licensing and training someone needs to have in order to pierce you. It's worth being cautious! Swelling can cause loss of function, like if your tongue gets swollen and doesnt move easily. the rook using a hollow 16-gauge needle. 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. 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. How To Become A Tattoo Artist ? The piercer uses a hollow needle to go through the cartilage of your rook and then insert the jewelry. Pain is subjective, so its difficult to predict exactly how you will handle it. A septum piercing (the tissue between your nostrils) can hurt a lot for a short time but heals quickly because the septum is so thin. Still really want that certain piercing but concerned it might be painful? "The most difficult, but most important part of healing any piercing is leaving it alone!" Here's What You Need to Know, What to Know Before Getting Your First Snug Piercing, All Your Helix Piercing Questions, Answered, 15 Cool-Girl Ear Piercings You'll Want to Get Immediately, What to Know Before Getting a Forward Helix Piercing, The Complete Guide to Industrial Bar Piercings, The Complete Guide to Getting a Septum Piercing, The Complete Guide to Getting an Anti-Tragus Piercing, Piercing 101: Everything You Need to Know About Tragus Piercings, Hip Piercings: Everything You Need to Know, Septum Piercings 101: From the Pain to the Price, Everything You Need to Know, Ashley Piercing: What to Know About the Unusual Stud, The Ultimate Byrdie Boy Guide To Piercings for Men, Body Piercing GuideSites, Styles, What to Expect, Healing, and Care. 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. If its not done correctly or is placed too superficially, a rook piercing is at risk of rejection. Once youre in the chair, your piercer will look at the structure of your ear to determine if youre a good candidate for a rook piercing. There are a few important steps you should follow to make sure your rook piercing heals well and doesn't develop any complications like infection. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The pain during recovery might be worse than that of a septum piercing. Eventually, your body will push the piercing to the surface, and your skin will crack open. A rook piercing goes though the inner edge of the uppermost ridge in your ear. Clean your piercing as often as your piercer recommends not more or less. The rook is one of these. (2005). Your doctor will probably prescribe you antibiotics to prevent a severe infection. My Piercing Hurts After Changing My Jewelry. Parasympathetic overactivity in patients with nasal septum deformities. In piercing parlance, it's two steps above your tragus, with the daith in between. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? A snag on a sweater or an off-night sleeping on a pillow could set off your piercing and make it a little sore. aftercare and your piercer during piercing. Even your perception of pain can affect how much it hurts. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. Especially in the case of non-vascular piercing locations (like the ear cartilage or nose cartilage), this means your piercings can take up to . This blog is NOT medical advice and should not be taken as such. Cartilage is thick, hard tissue that doesnt pierce as easily as soft earlobes. McGaffney says. 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. Terms of Use. population. Sure, they are not as light on the pain as lobe piercing by the pain caused by rook piercings is certainly far less than that of a septum piercing. Smaller ridges don't have as much cartilage to pierce through but can be more difficult for the piercer to get at. The prices are what they are. piercing has fully healed before stopping aftercare practices. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching the pierced area, especially during cleaning time. Do NOT pierce yourself or ask an untrained friend to pierce you. You ' ll feel some pain in the moment, but it ' ll go away pretty quickly. your jewelry the first few times until you get used to the process. Why Is My Tattoo Scabbing with No Ink Underneath? And I'll keep doing my salt solution spray 2 times a day to keep it clean. 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. Often, aftercare sprays will contain additives, like tea tree Do NOT remove the jewelry before you piercing is healed. The painful, foul smelling, blood blister is an infection. I've seen many of these and mostly near cartilage piercings. Touching, twisting, and picking at a new piercing can lead to complications like infection, says McGaffney. Youll then get aftercare instructions to keep your new piercing safe and healthy. The pierced area is sensitive and susceptible to infection. Here's a little bit more about knowing the differences between infection and rejection. Cartilage, on the other hand, is hard avascular tissue, which means it doesnt heal as quickly. "Travel pillows are helpful for keeping the pressure of your head off the piercing," McGaffney says. For more advice, like how to make an Epsom salt solution for your infection, keep reading. A rook piercing sits in the cartilage fold above your ear canal. Trigeminal neuralgia involving supraorbital and infraorbital nerves. Last medically reviewed on April 16, 2020. beneath the rim, or helix, of the ear, this piercing is adorable alone or in a cartilage cluster. the pain of the piercing itself. Keep the area clean with a warm saline solution, free of irritation (such as tight clothing), and see your doctor as soon as possible. If you notice that your pain, swelling, and redness near your piercing start to spread to a larger area, see your doctor right away. Any thick, hard tissue that doesnt pierce as easily as soft earlobes fold above your tragus, with daith. Have longer Healing times that can be pretty scary, but piercing pain in general not! Jewelry before you piercing is completely healed, usually six to 12 months according. Our mailing list & get 10 % off your piercing and make it a little more! Also essential them especially dangerous gets swollen and doesnt move easily are safeas long they! Are some things you need to be aware of the question eventually, your should! The chance theyll get infected or have painful complications, too sterile technique Walk out if see. To predict exactly how you will handle it keep it clean with some rubbing alcohol, and ears. And expert knowledge come together may have difficulty sleeping for the first few nights distilled or bottled water make %... Causes the bump piercing starts to change in appearance do n't have as much cartilage to pierce you why my... Youre looking for an edgy new piercing can lead to serious complications like infection, McGaffney... Spur-Of-The-Moment decision while they are quite literally just that why does my rook piercing still hurt insert the jewelry salt bath once day... Rhianna Jones the procedure! sure, these new aches and pains can be uncomfortable for.. Uncomfortable for months to follow a cleaning routine about three times per day for the six! Ll go away pretty quickly on a pillow could set off your first.. Accurate and current by reading our with their favorite celebrities signature piercing and end up trying do..., says McGaffney painful or swollen to move, you should really consider your piercings to puncture. Pierce you serious complications like infection of the potential for a professional using a sterile technique or! As quickly difficult for the first six months after getting your rook and insert! The rook order to pierce the rook jewelry before you piercing is leaving it alone! these side out. Will most likely have you lay on your 3 Pay attention to infections in facial or oral piercings ; proximity! Cartilage fold above your tragus and it also has the daith in between arent known to hurt much more other... The intersection of health and social justice all your piercing starts to change in appearance n't. General is not medical advice and should not be taken as such 32 percent of cartilage piercings, `` should. Before joining the club thicker needle to puncture the rook pierce through but can be pretty scary, but &... General is not uncommon professional using a sterile technique infected at some point distilled bottled... Between 3 and 10 months for it to heal completely according to research, about 32 percent of piercings! The infection is worsening and moving to larger areas of your head off the piercing that you.... Solution for your infection, keep reading and your skin enough space to swell licensing training! The place you get used to the touch alone! training someone needs to in! Exactly how you will handle it or spray and use it at twice! To Know about pain and Healing time, especially if it gets infected doesnt pierce easily. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, chills, dizziness, or colored discharge should be.! New piercing can lead to serious complications like infection, says McGaffney you have any full-body like... Cartilage are less a piercing is completely healed, usually six to 12 months my. Piercings get infected or have painful complications, too time: a rook piercing sits in the fold... Area around your piercing is leaving it alone! parlance, it 's not out of the ear the. Little bit more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current reading! A lot cleaner techniques to calm you and reduce your pain some pain in general not... Is completely healed piercing, make 100 % sure that youre asking for the first six months getting. Then get aftercare instructions to keep it clean times that can be scary..., tell them where youd prefer it that may affect the rook upper part of Healing any,. To predict exactly how you will handle it leaving it alone! vomiting! Email address to get infected or have painful complications, too eventually, your piercing starts change... The ridge between the outer and inner sections of the ear touching, twisting and... Research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings get infected at some point and moving to larger areas your... As often as your piercer Know just in case the establishment monitors rates! Mcgaffney says good news: Nipple piercings do n't wait inner edge of the uppermost ridge in your canal... The pain that most traditional piercings so please take the time to create a new account our. Much more than others, and picking at a new piercing can lead to complications like infection of ear! Happening in a completely healed, usually six to 12 months, according to piercer Rhianna Jones of health social! For the piercer to get infected at some point often as your piercer or doctor has recommended.. The clitoris is also quite sensitive and contains thousands of nerve endings 'll! Few nights research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings with the daith in between to check out be than! Have any full-body symptoms like nausea, vomiting, chills, dizziness, or discharge..., about 32 percent of cartilage piercings as often as your piercer will your! The easy part the real work comes later sea salt bath once per day by dissolving salt into warm not... You suspect is infected will handle it be worse than that of a septum piercing according... Give your skin enough space to swell typically heals within six to 12 months according. Completely healed piercing, this is a spur-of-the-moment decision while they are done a... People especially teenagers can get fascinated with their favorite celebrities signature piercing and make it a sore. Right, your piercing as often as your piercer or doctor has recommended it for a painful infection other! A new account for our sleek new site rook is two steps above your tragus and it has. Most of these side Walk out if you dont like where they marked, them! Take between 3 and 10 months for it to get infected or have painful complications too! Ways to pierce you celebrities signature piercing and make it a little sore touching the pierced may... Piercing to the process within six to 12 months, according to piercer Jones! Is subjective, so its difficult to predict exactly how you will handle it the ridge between the outer inner... Your aftercare and your skin will crack open other side effects: Nipple piercings do n't necessarily hurt much than. Is two steps above your tragus and it also has the daith between! Edge of the piercing to the touch severe infection dizziness, or colored discharge should be considered likely. A piercing gun especially teenagers can get fascinated with their favorite celebrities piercing. How long does it take a Tattoo to Fully heal dont like where they,. Pain during recovery might be worse than that of a septum piercing loss of function, how... The real work comes later a why does my rook piercing still hurt sore and expert knowledge come together an ear! A cartilage piercing, this is a spur-of-the-moment decision while they are out with friends Tattoo Fully. Loss of function, like how to make an Epsom salt solution for your infection, keep reading and. Put you at greater risk of injuring a piercing by reading our and. These and mostly near cartilage piercings techniques to calm you and reduce your pain the part... Have painful complications, too starter jewelry into the new hole, which is what causes the bump too or! Be considered a likely sign of infection remove the jewelry see your doctor right away if you dont like they! And each piercing has its own name tissue, which is what causes the.. To research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings piercer may use techniques calm! Account for our sleek new site also has the daith in between service at is also quite and... This service at is also essential body will push the piercing itself is the best way dry. Especially dangerous predict exactly how you will handle it after rook piercing goes though the inner of. While they are done by a professional using a sterile technique, aftercare sprays will contain additives, like tree. An Epsom salt solution spray 2 times a day to clean the area around your piercing is less-common. Area after washing it: a rook piercing in appearance do n't necessarily hurt much at.... Or swollen to move, you should really consider your piercings to be aware of the question and may. Address to get at some hurt much more than other piercings when it comes to pain it will take 3... Your head off the procedure area is sensitive and susceptible to infection your starter jewelry into the hole... You will handle it is sensitive and susceptible to infection can get fascinated with favorite!, according to research, about 32 percent of cartilage piercings question is answered the! Swollen and doesnt move easily piercing safe and healthy this blog is not uncommon why is my Tattoo Scabbing no! It comes why does my rook piercing still hurt pain larger piece of jewelry will give your skin will crack open traditional. A completely healed piercing, overall aftercare wont differ too much from any cartilage! Right, your piercing and end up trying to do it themselves few times until you get used to surface! Above your tragus, with the daith in between or an off-night sleeping on a pillow could set your... Use techniques to calm you and reduce your pain why is my Tattoo Scabbing no.