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Volume 14
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Article

Prevalence of Ear-Piercing Complications, Associated Risk Factors, and Current Ear-Piercing Trends Among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

by
Mayar Abdulsalam Alsaqr
1,*,
Najlaa Abdulrahman Alsubeeh
2,
Saleh Alabood
3,
Fatima Saad Alangari
1,
Subhi M. K. Zino Alarki
1,
Laila Salah Aldokhail
4,
Raghad Abdulhai Ghazzawi
5,
Mohammed Alkarzae
6 and
Badi Aldosari
7
1
Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
2
Ministry of Health Headquarters, Riyadh 12233, Saudi Arabia
3
Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Unit, Surgery Department, Specialized Medical Center, Riyadh 12311, Saudi Arabia
4
College of Medicine, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
5
Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah 23433, Saudi Arabia
6
Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh 12625, Saudi Arabia
7
Facial Plastic Division, ENT Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh 12629, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2026, 14(15), 2265; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152265
Submission received: 20 June 2026 / Revised: 15 July 2026 / Accepted: 20 July 2026 / Published: 24 July 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Public Health and Preventive Medicine)
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Abstract

Background: Ear piercing is one of the most commonly performed forms of body modification worldwide. While generally considered a simple procedure, it may be associated with a range of local and cosmetic complications. Objective: To evaluate current ear-piercing trends, determine the prevalence of ear-piercing complications, and identify factors independently associated with the development of these complications among females residing in Riyadh. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among females residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited through an online self-administered questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of complications. Results: A total of 1018 participants were included. Ear piercing for aesthetic purposes was reported by 52.8% of respondents. Most participants (87.8%) reported not receiving information regarding procedural risks or aftercare instructions. Complications were reported by 26.5% of participants, with infection (57.0%) and ear pain (54.1%) being the most frequent. Independent predictors of complications included having multiple piercings, cartilage piercing, student status, and the use of piercing guns. Undergoing the first ear piercing before one year of age was associated with a lower risk of complications. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that nearly one-quarter of females reported experiencing complications from ear piercings and are associated with several potentially modifiable factors. This emphasizes the importance of informed consent before the procedure, along with proper education on associated risks.
Keywords: ear piercing; complications; body piercing; infection; risk factors; cartilage piercing; public health ear piercing; complications; body piercing; infection; risk factors; cartilage piercing; public health

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Alsaqr, M.A.; Alsubeeh, N.A.; Alabood, S.; Alangari, F.S.; Alarki, S.M.K.Z.; Aldokhail, L.S.; Ghazzawi, R.A.; Alkarzae, M.; Aldosari, B. Prevalence of Ear-Piercing Complications, Associated Risk Factors, and Current Ear-Piercing Trends Among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Healthcare 2026, 14, 2265. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152265

AMA Style

Alsaqr MA, Alsubeeh NA, Alabood S, Alangari FS, Alarki SMKZ, Aldokhail LS, Ghazzawi RA, Alkarzae M, Aldosari B. Prevalence of Ear-Piercing Complications, Associated Risk Factors, and Current Ear-Piercing Trends Among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Healthcare. 2026; 14(15):2265. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152265

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alsaqr, Mayar Abdulsalam, Najlaa Abdulrahman Alsubeeh, Saleh Alabood, Fatima Saad Alangari, Subhi M. K. Zino Alarki, Laila Salah Aldokhail, Raghad Abdulhai Ghazzawi, Mohammed Alkarzae, and Badi Aldosari. 2026. "Prevalence of Ear-Piercing Complications, Associated Risk Factors, and Current Ear-Piercing Trends Among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia" Healthcare 14, no. 15: 2265. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152265

APA Style

Alsaqr, M. A., Alsubeeh, N. A., Alabood, S., Alangari, F. S., Alarki, S. M. K. Z., Aldokhail, L. S., Ghazzawi, R. A., Alkarzae, M., & Aldosari, B. (2026). Prevalence of Ear-Piercing Complications, Associated Risk Factors, and Current Ear-Piercing Trends Among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Healthcare, 14(15), 2265. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152265

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