College Student Develops 'Elf Ears' from Piercing, Doctor Diagnoses Severe Keloids

Central News Agency (Taichung, 26th) A college student in Taichung developed severe keloid scar tissue on her ear after getting a piercing, resulting in an appearance resembling "elf ears." Cheng Ching Hospital's Zhonggang Branch announced today that they successfully restored the ear's appearance using subcutaneous excision of the scar tissue. Plastic surgeon Chang Yu-cheng explained that the student had pierced her ear two years ago. Initially, she treated the inflammation with ointment, but a small granuloma-like growth appeared and grew larger. Steroid injections at a local clinic were ineffective, and the ear eventually grew into a pointed shape like those in "The Lord of the Rings." Chang noted that the "elf ears" were actually keloids. Since the growth was 1.5 cm and on the edge of the ear, direct excision was difficult. He performed the surgery under a microscope, carefully removing the scar tissue while preserving the cartilage and skin. He used a fat-fascia flap from behind the ear to fill the defect. Three months post-surgery, the ear returned to normal. Chang advised that keloids are caused by inflammation and genetic predisposition, and urged those with such tendencies to avoid piercings.