Tragus piercing...

**Willow** · February 23rd, 2008, 02:24 PM

OK, wanted to do this for aaaages but will admit that after a pretty painful experience about ooooooh, 12 years ago having my belly button pierced, I'm scared!

Thinking of biting the bullet and getting it done for my 30th which is in a few months, would rather get another tattoo but don't want to do that while b'feeding (by the way - is it OK to get a piercing while b'feeding??)

Pain - how does it compare to (a) childbirth (LOL!) and (b) getting a tattoo??

**suse** · February 23rd, 2008, 03:11 PM

Oooh, nice Willow.

I haven't had a tragus piercing (or a tattoo) but I've had navel, upper ear cartilage, nostril and tongue piercings, and gone through all of childbirth except the bit at the end.

Navel piercings hurt like hell, cartilage piercings don't tickle either but they are a duller pain, whereas flesh piercings (IMO) are sharper. They are nothing in comparison to childbirth though, apart from anything they are over in a few minutes!

If you sleep on your side be prepared for it to take a while to heal. My cartilage piercing got a little infected but once it healed it has been fine (and I've had it over 10 years now).

I know that piercings are not recommended when pregnant, not sure about when feeding. Ask your piercer - and for something like a tragus, see a specialist piercer, rather than a tattooist who does piercings. Polymorph in Enmore are very good (not sure where in Sydney you are).

**Blixie** · February 23rd, 2008, 03:22 PM

I got my tragus done about 3 years ago and it does hurt but only while they're doing it (clamping, piercing, putting in the bar/ring and removing the plastic tubey bit) as soon as they're done its fine

just dont get your hair or towel caught on it

**Starfish** · February 23rd, 2008, 08:04 PM

For me, my tragus piercing was the least painful piercing I had, and to this day its my favourite. Way less pain than cartlidge, navel, or a tattoo. And waaay less painful than childbirth. I also found that it healed really quickly and easily as it didn't tend to get caught on my clothes or anything (the way a navel or a nose piercing would).

I am pretty sure that it is okay to get a piercing while breastfeeding. (But maybe ask an expert, e.g. gp before getting it done.)