FAQ

A split earlobe is a condition in which the earlobe (auricular lobule) has torn. There are two types: acquired split earlobes, in which a piercing hole gradually widens and eventually tears, and congenital split earlobes, in which the earlobe is divided from birth. The condition does not heal on its own and requires surgical repair at a plastic surgery clinic.

The most common cause of a split earlobe is piercing-related injury. Wearing heavy earrings over a long period, or having earrings caught on clothing and pulled, can cause the piercing hole to gradually widen until it eventually tears. Other causes include lacerations from accidents or trauma, and congenital split earlobes present from birth.

A split earlobe does not heal on its own. Because the skin at the torn area has already healed over (re-epithelialized), the edges will not reattach naturally; surgical repair at a plastic surgery clinic is required. Although leaving it untreated rarely causes the condition to worsen, many patients seek early treatment due to cosmetic concerns.

Split earlobe surgery is performed under local anesthesia. The skin along the torn edges is excised to create fresh wound surfaces, which are then sutured together to restore the shape of the earlobe. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour per ear and can be performed as a same-day surgery. Our board-certified plastic surgeon sutures carefully to achieve a natural-looking earlobe contour.

Once the wound has fully healed after split earlobe surgery, wearing earrings is possible. However, you will need to refrain from wearing earrings for at least 3 to 6 months after surgery until the scar has stabilized. To help prevent recurrence, it is important to choose lightweight earrings, remove them before sleeping, and avoid clothing that may catch on them.

Please see a plastic surgeon for the treatment of a split earlobe. Plastic surgery is the specialty dedicated to repairing deformities and defects of the body surface, and plastic surgeons have the expertise to reconstruct the natural shape of the earlobe. At our clinic, a board-certified member of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery performs treatment with the goal of achieving a natural result with minimal scarring.

Congenital split earlobes can also be treated surgically. Even in cases where the earlobe is divided from birth or incompletely formed, plastic surgery can restore a natural earlobe shape. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia; general anesthesia may be required for children. The timing of treatment is determined in consultation with the physician.

Treatment is possible even before the hole has completely torn. Surgery is performed to suture the stretched hole closed, after which a new piercing hole can be made at a different location. Seeking treatment at an early stage tends to support a more natural-looking outcome.

Piercing keloids can be treated. A keloid is a constitutional reaction in which scar tissue becomes raised and continues to enlarge, and it can develop at a piercing site. Treatment options include surgical excision, steroid injections, and compression therapy; the most appropriate method is selected based on the patient’s constitution and condition. Because keloids are prone to recurrence, post-treatment management is also important.

If an earring has become embedded in the skin, please do not attempt to remove it yourself; seek medical attention instead. The earring can be safely removed through a small incision made under local anesthesia. Leaving it untreated may lead to infection or inflammation, so we recommend visiting a clinic promptly.

Piercing hole infections can be improved with appropriate treatment. In mild cases, topical or oral antibiotics are used. If pus has accumulated, incision and drainage may be performed. If the infection recurs repeatedly, we may recommend removing the earring and allowing the hole to heal completely.

Conditions covered by health insurance in plastic surgery include skin tumors such as epidermoid cysts (atheromas) and lipomas, split earlobes, moles (when malignancy is suspected), keloids and hypertrophic scars, ingrown toenails, and treatment of burns and scars. Treatments performed solely for cosmetic purposes are not covered by insurance; however, cases involving functional impairment may be eligible for coverage.

Plastic surgery is a specialty that treats abnormalities and deformities of the body surface, dealing with congenital anomalies, trauma, and reconstruction after tumor removal; most procedures are covered by health insurance. Cosmetic surgery aims to enhance the appearance of a normal body and is generally performed on a self-pay basis. Board-certified plastic surgeons are trained in both fields, and our clinic focuses primarily on insurance-covered treatments.

Keloid treatment is covered by health insurance. Treatment options include steroid injections, compression therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy; the most appropriate method is selected based on the symptoms and location. Because keloids are prone to recurrence, a combination of treatment methods is often used, and long-term follow-up is necessary.

Whether scar revision is covered by health insurance depends on the condition of the scar and the purpose of treatment. Cases involving keloids, hypertrophic scars, or functional impairment caused by a scar (such as restricted joint movement) are eligible for insurance coverage. Treatment aimed solely at improving appearance is generally performed on a self-pay basis. We will explain the details at the time of your consultation.

Ingrown toenail treatment is covered by health insurance. Mild cases may improve with taping or cotton packing, but severe cases or onychocryptosis (a condition in which the nail edge digs into the surrounding skin and causes inflammation) may require surgery. At our clinic, we will recommend an appropriate treatment approach based on your symptoms.

Split earlobe surgery is covered by health insurance. With a 30% patient co-payment, the approximate cost is around ¥8,000 to ¥20,000 per ear. Additional charges apply for both ears. The cost may vary depending on whether the condition is congenital or acquired and the condition of the earlobe. Initial consultation fees and prescription medication costs may be charged separately.

Because surgery is performed under local anesthesia, discomfort during the procedure is minimal. You may feel a brief sting from the anesthetic injection, but surgery begins only after the anesthesia has taken full effect. After the procedure, some discomfort may occur once the anesthesia wears off, but it is generally manageable with the pain medication prescribed.

Follow-up visits are necessary after surgery for wound monitoring and suture removal. Typically, the wound is checked the day after surgery or within a few days, and sutures are removed 7 to 10 days later. If recovery is progressing well, further visits after suture removal may not be necessary. Depending on the condition of the wound, additional follow-up visits may be requested.

On the day of surgery, we will begin with a medical interview and examination to confirm the planned procedure. After you have signed the consent form, local anesthesia is administered in the operating room and surgery begins. Following the procedure, hemostasis is confirmed, the wound is dressed, and you will be given post-operative instructions before being discharged. The total time required varies depending on the procedure, but is typically around 1 to 2 hours.

You may shower from the day after surgery, provided you keep the treated area dry. Directly wetting the treated area is generally permitted from 2 to 3 days after surgery; please follow your physician’s instructions. Bathing (soaking in a bathtub) is permitted after suture removal, once the wound has fully closed. Keeping the area clean is important for infection prevention.

Yes, we accept credit card payments. We accept a variety of major credit cards. Please note that insurance-covered treatments may require payment in cash in some cases; please check with our reception staff for details.

IC Clinic Omiya is open from 10:00 to 19:00 (closed 14:00–15:00; last reception at 18:30). We are open on weekends as well, so those with busy weekday schedules are welcome to visit. Please note that we are closed on certain days including the New Year holiday period; for the latest information, please contact us by phone or check our website.

IC Clinic Omiya is conveniently located approximately 1 minute on foot from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station. Our address is Fukubi Medical 2F, Unit B, 1-60 Daimoncho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. The clinic is very close to the station, making it easily accessible not only from within Saitama Prefecture but also from Tokyo and the northern Kanto region.

Our clinic operates on an appointment basis. Please book by phone (0120-561-118) or through our website. Walk-in visits are welcome, but as priority is given to patients with appointments, you may need to wait. If you wish to have surgery, please be sure to make an appointment in advance.

IC Clinic Omiya treats plastic surgery conditions including split earlobes, piercing-related troubles, keloids, epidermoid cysts (atheromas), inflamed epidermoid cysts, lipomas, and moles (nevi). Focusing primarily on insurance-covered treatments, a board-certified member of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery performs same-day surgeries. If you are unsure whether your condition can be treated, please feel free to contact us.

IC Clinic Omiya is a clinic in Saitama Prefecture that offers same-day split earlobe surgery. The clinic is approximately 1 minute on foot from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station, offering excellent access, and is open on weekends as well. A board-certified member of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is on staff, and treatment is available under health insurance coverage. Please feel free to contact us.