title: Ear piercing for individuals with metal hypersensitivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and evaluate an ear piercing and earring retention method for individuals with metal hypersensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private facial plastic surgery practice associated with a tertiary care medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients with a history of hypersensitivity to metallic jewelry (62 ears) underwent earlobe piercing with an intravenous catheter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the patients experienced an infection or hypersensitivity reaction. All patients were able to wear nickel-free earrings for short periods without using the shortened catheter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the distal shaft of an intravenous catheter as an earring post sheath is a safe and effective technique that allows hypersensitive individuals to wear earrings in pierced ears on a limited basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. anthony.cornetta@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cornetta
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reiter
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008670:Metals