A student needed emergency surgery and was left with a "deformed" ear after a piercing developed a massive infection.
Stella Blezard, 19, spent £30 of a piercing in her cartilage earlier this year but within hours it was bright red.
The next morning she woke up in agony to find her ear was swollen and crusty and was given a round of antibiotics by her GP.
But after a week her ear continued to balloon and fill with puss, so she headed to A&E.
She was put on an IV drip and was told doctors would need to perform emergency surgery because her ear had become dangerously infected.
The operation saw doctors slice open Stella's ear to retrieve the piercing, leaving a "heart-shaped" dent.
The University of East Angelia student wants to warn others about the potential dangers when it comes to piercings.
Stella, from Norwich, said: "My ear was so swollen it actually covered my piercing.
"It really hurt after getting the piecing. I've had others done before.
"The next day it was just really red which I thought was a bit weird.
"It just kinda sucks it happened.
"I try not to tuck my hair behind my ears to not bring attention to it.
"I just wanted a piercing and now have been left with permanent damage."
