Risk Factors Associated with Post-Ear-Piercing Keloid Formation in Thai Population
1 Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Affiliation : Thiti Tantitham MD1, Kachin Wattanawong MD1
Background : Keloid is abnormal wound response after skin trauma of which the exact etiology is unknown. Ear piercing is one of
the most popular body ornamentation that could somehow lead to keloid formation.
Objective : To identify any risk factors that may relate to post-ear piercing keloid formation.
Materials and Methods : This case control study was conducted in Thai people at Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery
at Ramathibodi Hospital between August 2015 and August 2016. It consisted of post-ear piercing subjects with and without keloid
formation as case (43 subjects) and control (44 subjects) groups respectively. Information regarding age at piercing, history of
keloid formed, age of keloid formation, site of piercing, method for piercing, jewelry use after piercing, complications, development
of keloid at other location of the body, family history of keloid, and skin color was collected.
Results : According to the study, complications from piercing such as infection or allergic reaction were signi(cid:976)icantly related to
post-ear piercing keloid formation (p<0.001). Piercing through cartilage was also proven to be one of the major risk factors (p<0.001).
There was no difference between cases and controls in terms of age at piercing, method for piercing, use of jewelry, keloid at other
location of the body, family history of keloid, and skin color.
Conclusion : Two major contributing factors of post-ear piercing keloid formation that were identi(cid:976)ied from the present study are
development of post-piercing complications and cartilage piercing.
Keywords : Keloid, Ear piecing, Risk factors, Skin color, Cartilagenous part
