There are two parts of the outer ear. You have the soft, fleshy part called the lobe and the thick, sturdy skin called the cartilage. Despite both being open spaces where earrings could sparkle up, lobes are a safer area to pierce. There aren't any strenuous risks associated with lobe piercings. In fact, they are one of the fastest piercings to heal.
"The most dangerous piercings are the ones that involve cartilage, like higher ear piercings," says pediatric nurse practitioner Tracy Burton (via Global News). "These piercings are associated with poor healing because of the limited blood supply to the area." And if you're unfortunate enough to have your cartilage piercing infected, the antibiotics might not work. The medication can be futile because there is no vehicle (aka blood) to carry the antibiotics to the cartilage. Cartilage piercings are risky. Yet, you might not have to say goodbye to the decked-out ear of your dreams.
