Ultimate Guide to Daith Piercings: Everything You Need to Know | Chronic Ink Tattoo

Getting a New Ear Piercing

Ear piercings come in all different styles and designs, and some are more unique than others. No matter what part of the ear you choose to pierce, there are so many different options to choose from when it comes to jewelry. Some people might dismiss ear piercings as too common or not cool enough, but when you do your research into the different kinds of piercings you can get, as well as combing them with other styles, you’ll be surprised. Express your individualism and personal look with a unique ear piercing, such as the tragus or helix. As well as this, find out which pieces of jewelry really speak to you and choose the best that you can afford. Needless to say, on top of all of this, you should be sure to only get your piercing done from a professional who has experience in the style that you want.

What is a daith piercing?

A newer form of ear piercing is called the daith piercing, which is done on the innermost fold of cartilage inside of the ear, close to the tragus. Coined by the famous piercer Erik Dakota, it is said that a true daith piercing requires the usage of a proprietary needle that Dakota invented in the early 90s, along with a client of his. Typically, captive bead rings are used as jewelry for these designs, but the possibilities are endless, and you can choose exactly what jewelry you want to wear beforehand. If you want to stick to a “true” daith piercing, you’ll need to ensure that the bottom part of the right looks like it is coming out of the ear canal. Being able to see both the entrance and exit of the piercing negates the designation of an authentic daith piercing.

Does a daith piercing hurt?

As with most ear piercings, the daith shouldn’t hurt too much, but it will have a higher level of pain than other parts of the ear. The reason for this is that the thicker, harder cartilage that surrounds the inner ear canal has a higher rate of blood flow, and thus more nerve endings that are sensitive to trauma. Luckily, the initial piercing is not very painful, but the hollow needle can cause discomfort if the piercer needs to go further. If the piercing isn’t smooth, you will have to have another go at it.

Do daith piercings help with migraines?

For individuals who suffer from migraine pain, you know that you’ll do almost anything to prevent or lessen their severity. However, many people, even in the piercing community, have said that daith piercing will utilize pressure points within the ear canal to help alleviate symptoms. Unfortunately, none of the claims about this are true. If you do happen to suffer from intensely painful migraines, know that there are many different treatment options available to you at little cost, and that chronic migraines may be unavoidable. Sometimes the best we can do is ensure that the pain isn’t as bad through simple management.

Evidence to Support Benefits for Migraine Relief

The Cleveland Clinic first stated that there was no evidence to support the theory that daith piercings could be used as an alternative treatment to traditional methods. As well as this, many other reputable scientific studies and papers have determined that these claims are indeed false. If someone is trying to sell you a daith piercing under the condition that it will help as a migraine treatment, be wary of it, and know that any beneficial affects you hear from others are most likely the simple result of the placebo effect.

How long does a daith piercing take to heal?

Unlike some other types of ear piercings, the daith typically doesn’t take as long to heal, usually only a matter of two to three months. It is important to remember not to remove or change the jewelry you were pierced with until after this healing period, as the tissue will be sensitive and requires a regrowth of certain tissues before it can be safely and easily removed. No matter how long the general consensus for the healing process is, you should be aware that it can take longer depending on the skill of the piercing as well as how well you take care of it before it’s fully healed.

How to clean a daith piercing:

You might be wondering how to best clean a daith piercing without getting water or other solutions in your ear. The easiest way to cleanse and disinfect the area is by using a cotton swab that has been dipped in saline solution or warm water and a mild soap. Long term, using sea salt will be helpful in cleaning the area without having to use any chemicals. The important thing to remember when cleaning your inner ear piercing is to try and use the most natural materials you can, and ensure that your inner ears are clean and free from wax or other debris. If you find that wearing headphones is uncomfortable, stop using them until your piercing is fully healed. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble preventing irritation than having to deal with it once it appears.

Watching Out for Infection

Infection can start at any point during the healing process, but it’s most likely to happen during the beginning shortly after the initial appointment. Knowing the signs of infection is helpful if you are worried about what you’re seeing during the healing process, and can tell you when you should go to your personal doctor for treatment options.

• Excessive pain, swelling or itchiness on or near the piercing area.
• A funky smell that doesn’t seem to get better with cleaning.
• Weeping fluid or bleeding on or around the affected area.
• A piercing that swells up and doesn’t seem to get better over time.

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if infection is suspected, and you will be back to enjoying your new piercing in quick order.