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6 Months after Daith Piercing

August 19, 2016 marks the 6 month -iversary of my daith piercing for migraine headaches.

If you haven’t read about the day I got my daith pierced, check it out.

I go into detail about the type of migraine I get so you can see if your symptoms are similar.

Because there are no official scientific studies being done on the effectiveness of daith piercing for migraines, I aim to provide my detailed experience.

But, keep in mind, I am not a doctor. I am only sharing my story in hopes that maybe I can help someone make the best decision for themselves.

As always, talk to your doctor before trying any forms of treatment.

Picture of an ear with a daith piercing for migraines.

*WARNING* This post contains graphic images that contain blood.

6 Months After the Daith Piercing for Migraines

It’s been quite a hectic six months! I’ve done a lot of traveling, gone through some rotten medical crap–both mentally and physically.

Off topic, but just to clarify, I had some trauma in my youth that caused me to be psychologically uncomfortable with urinating. I know… TMI. But I wanted to be clear that it wasn’t really migraine related.

Long story, but in short, because of this I have had a lifetime of bladder and kidney issues.

Who knew I just needed a psychologist this whole time?! Man, everything seems to come out in your 30’s.

Okay, back to the topic at hand. It’s important to note that all the while seeing specialist after specialist and them seeing “migraines with aura” in my chart, I kept pointing out that my ear piercing for migraines was working.

Every single doctor was NOT surprised I was experiencing relief. Some just shrugged and commented about how acupuncture has been around for 1,000 years and that it’s no shock that a piercing in this area might help.

Others said that I was not the first of their patients to try this and have it work.

For the first 31 days I kept a journal of my results after my ear piercing for migraines.

I apologize I didn’t keep a written version like this for the last five months.

Instead I decided to just write things down if I did experience symptoms–implying other days are symptom-free.

Here’s another warning before you scroll — bloody picture up ahead!

Accidents Happen

May 22, 2016: I was on a press trip in Mexico. I had been swimming in underground rivers, pools, and the ocean.

My piercing seemed to be doing just fine. But on the last day of the trip I snagged it on a towel after getting out of the shower.

It didn’t actually hurt. I would never had noticed had it not been for the blood.

I put some antibiotic ointment on it for the next few days and figured it would be fine.

Bloody bubble at the site of a daith piercing in the ear.

Well, as of August 25th, I’ve been struggling with this bubble that has formed on the top portion of the daith piercing.

Occasionally it looks like it may be infected so Evan lances it. Clear liquid, a small amount of pus, and blood drain out.

I clean it with the salt water solution that was suggested after I initially got it pierced and apply antibiotic ointment.

It is now August 29th and I’m finally starting to see that it’s going away.

I decided to ditch the antibiotic ointments and try a new method of cleaning my daith piercing. (Preparing the salt water three times a day is sort of a pain and frankly, I just forget.)

Piercing Aftercare Spray
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So, I found an isotonic saline solution wound wash that comes in a spray bottle.

I use it on the area three times a day. I don’t mess with it at all aside from that. And it is FINALLY getting better.

Because this area lacks blood flow it can take forever to heal. I’m hoping this new method works.

And I really should have seen a doctor FOR THIS, but I had so many other things going on, they took priority.

Mind you, I never had any fevers or thought I was at risk of serious infection.

Again, I honestly forgot about it most of the time because it doesn’t hurt at all.

Daith earring in an ear.

Migraine Headaches

Without further ado, I am thrilled to report that in 6 months, I have only had two actual migraine headaches.

They only lasted a couple hours with 600mg of Ibuprofen.

Before this ear piercing for migraines, I was getting FOUR migraine headaches a week and they’d last 24 hours or more. 800mg of Ibuprofen would only take the edge off.

Prior to these two migraine occurrences, I was going through an exponential amount of stress combined with having hormone issues with my cycle.

I don’t know what is happening with my lady parts, but my periods are getting farther and farther apart. Pretty sure 32 is a bit young for menopause, but that’s a whole other topic.

For me, this ear piercing for migraine headaches has changed my life.

Despite any complications, they’ve been annoying at most. Absolutely nothing compared to the misery migraine headaches inflict.

I feel like I have my life back. I am still light sensitive in the respect that I wear sunglasses outside.

But I no longer lurk behind dark curtains in the house.

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Once I get this rotten bubble thing cleared up, I can’t wait to swap my jewelry out for a super cute heart shaped daith piercing ring.

Not Ready to Put a Hole in your Head?

I get it, piercings make some people rightfully squeamish.

2019 update: I recently started taking a daily supplement for migraine relief and it’s working so well that I feel confident recommending it.

Please discuss with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet. Also, report back if you try it. It’s interesting to see how MigreLief works for so many people!

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There is also a new device out called CEFALY. This gadget is another option to try at home if you’re looking to avoid piercings and prescriptions.

CEFALY

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If anyone has any questions about the daith piercing for migraines, don’t hesitate to post them in the comments below.

I’d love to hear about your experiences or concerns.

Adele

Sunday 26th of November 2017

Hi! I found your blog after googling daith piercings looking specifically for the bump along with it. I had mine done 7 weeks ago and right next the the piercing a tender spot has appeared. I can’t pick at it and it just doesn’t seem to be healing. I haven’t been good at making up the salt water to wash it, a pain like you said, but I don’t know how long to expect for it to heal.

Gina

Friday 20th of October 2017

Hi There i done the migraine piercing 2 days ago maybe I'm just paranoid ad expect it to work immediately but i have a slight pain since the piercing i just hope it will heal faster really i have been suffering with these migraines for over 20years now and os tired of medication. just hope and pray this really works thanks all for sharing Regards Gina

Patricia Moore

Monday 21st of August 2017

Hi, I have linked back to your post and acknowledged your concern about the usage of your picture in my post. Please check yourself: You have correctly written about the migraines healing aspect of daith piercing, however, I've written about its basic points like the cure, prevention, healing time etc and a short paragraph on migraines healing aspect. I'd be so much happy if you could link back to my post as well so that your readers could find more information relevant to you post. Thanks.

Michelle

Wednesday 9th of August 2017

18 years of migraines, tired of pain and suffering. I walked into a place that just does body piercing with a migraine on top of it all. And had it done in both ears. I had relief in the first ear right way and start to cry because it help alot. I also get acupuncture too. So, I know it will help alot. It hurts a little but the relief is the best ever.

Dola King

Sunday 6th of August 2017

I won't recommend this for everyone but I have an extremely high tolerance to pain so after doing a LOT of research and watching video's on the placement, I took a piercing earring and did my daith piercing myself, under sterile conditions. I don't suffer from migraines. I've had a constant headache every day since I injured my back in September 2016, bulging a disc in the thoracic region of my back. Nothing would ease it, let alone make it disappear. For me, this was more of a "what do I have to lose" attempt. Within 15 minutes, my almost year long headache had disappeared and 48 hours later hasn't returned. I've had 2 complete nights of sleep for the first time in what feels like forever. I clean it with antibacterial soap and water, flush it with peroxide and use antibiotic ointment with pain reliever in it. I changed the piercing ring immediately to a 14kt white gold diamond stud to improve my chances of it not becoming infected. By the way, I'm a 54 year old female who can handle pain levels up to an 8 before the first tear falls lol