It is a common myth that if a piercing is not done in the exact correct place that you will become paralyzed. This simply is not true!
This myth originated because of a single case where after having her ears pierced, 15 year old Grace Etherington became paralyzed. Upon investigation, the paralyzation was caused by the rare Guillain-Barre Syndrome- an immune disorder that attacks the nervous system that can be caused by any kind of infection. But it seems that people took this instance and completely ran with it, spreading the rumor that ear piercings can make you paralyzed!
The simple truth is that there are not enough nerve endings in your ear to cause this type of damage. People who have their ears cut off don't even end up paralyzed!
In conclusion, you do not need to be afraid that you will become paralyzed if you choose to get ear piercings. All you need to do is visit a reputable, clean piercing establishment and then be sure that your aftercare is on point!
Until next week,
Kourtney 🖤
1 comment
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Hi! Completely understandable that an ear piercing couldn’t cause paralysis, however I’m wondering if a facial piercing may perhaps cause some issue with nerves… My lip piercing is on the lower right side, it was pierced by my friend in a basement 15 years ago and over the years I have suffered from jaw and ear pain on this side. Also, when I smiled, this side was very tight and caused facial asymmetry. Recently I was eating and went to talk (my bad) and my tooth caught the plate on the back of the bar and pulled the bead right into my lip. After a mini panic attack I continued to pull it through and have not replaced it. Now my face seems fine, I can pop my ear much better, and my smile is straight. My jaw still causes me problems but that’s due to trauma sustained a few years after getting the piercing, and clearly it wasn’t the cause of whatever was causing my crooked smiles etc.