Explaining (and Debunking) the White String Piercing Legend

PDF download Download Article
Is the white string urban legend legit, or completely fictional?
PDF download Download Article

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, you’re probably familiar with the #whitestringlegend that’s popping up all over the platform. Is there any truth to this scary story, though, or is it just another TikTok trend? We’ve got the inside scoop. Keep scrolling to learn everything there is know about this freaky urban legend.

Section 1 of 3:

What is the white string urban legend?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    As the story goes, a young girl once longed to get her ears pierced. Her parents gave her money to see a professional piercer, but the girl decided to pocket the money and had a friend to pierce her ears instead. The day after, the girl’s ear felt itchy and painful, and she noticed a white string sticking out of it. As she pulled, the girl found that the string didn’t have an end; it just kept going. She grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped off the string to get rid of the excess—and lost her vision immediately. Later, she learned that the "string" she cut was actually her optic nerve, which is why she went blind. [1]
    • In one variation of this urban legend, the person in question found a white string sticking out of their nipple piercing. When they snipped the string, they experienced terrible pain, fell unconscious, and defecated themselves unknowingly. (They didn’t go blind, though.) [2]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Is there any truth to this legend?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your optic nerve is a cranial nerve that goes between your eye and your brain. [3] While you do need your optic nerve to see, it isn’t connected to your ear whatsoever—so, it’s impossible that getting an ear piercing (or any type of piercing) can cause the white string phenomenon. [4]
    • Your optic nerve connects directly to your brain, which allows you see and process the world around you. [5] Even if your optic nerve physically could protrude from your ear, your vision would already be gone at that point since one end of the nerve clearly isn’t connected to the eye or brain.
    • Optic nerve issues can impact your vision, but they don’t manifest as a white string dangling from your ear. Some optic nerve disorders include glaucoma, optic neuritis, optic nerve head drusen, and optic nerve atrophy. [6]
Section 3 of 3:

Best Practices for a New Ear Piercing

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Even though an at-home piercing won’t destroy your optic nerve, it will leave you susceptible to infection. Instead, meet with a professional piercer who can properly pierce your ear in a safe and sterile environment. [7]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your new piercing is essentially an open wound, so you don’t want to introduce any germs to it and risk an infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching or handling your piercing so it can stay as sterile as possible. [8]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Dip a cotton swab into a mixture of water and fragrance-free soap and rub all around the front and back of the piercing site. [9] (Don’t take out your jewelry, though!) Then, rinse off any suds with clean water and blot the piercing dry with a paper towel. [10]
    • Never clean your piercing with harsh, aggravating products like iodine, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soap, or rubbing alcohol—these do more harm than good. [11]
    • If your piercer gives you specific aftercare instructions, be sure to follow them accordingly.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Grab a tube of petroleum jelly and squeeze a tiny bit onto a cotton swab. Then, apply the product in a thin layer around the front and back of the piercing site. A wound that’s kept moist heals much more quickly than a dry one! [12]
    • Avoid using a jar of petroleum jelly, as this creates a higher risk of contamination.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-White-String-Piercing-Meaning-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Soreness, puffiness, redness, and oozing pus are all potential signs that your piercing could be infected. [13] If you’re worried, visit your doctor to get a second opinion, and follow their treatment suggestions if they confirm that you have an infection. [14]
    • It can take between 2 and 6 months for a piercing to fully heal.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Comment with Pictures on TikTok (And Why Some Can't)
      The Grabovoi Numbers Trend, Explained
      Can You Go Live on TikTok Without 1,000 Followers?
      4 Ways to See TikTok Profiles & Videos Without People Knowing
      9 Strategies to Help You Gain 1,000 TikTok Followers in No Time
      3 Simple Ways to Download the TikTok Mobile App
      How to
      Contact TikTok: 8 Ways to Get Support
      The Complete Guide to Reviving Your Broken TikTok Streaks
      How to
      Know if Someone Blocked You on TikTok
      Can TikTok Auto Scroll? How to Play TikTok Videos Automatically
      An In Depth Guide on the Hello Kitty Girl: Meaning, Traits & Origin
      How to
      Get More Likes on TikTok: The Ultimate Guide
      How to
      Fix Account Not Found on TikTok
      What Does Each Can Tab Mean and Why Do People Give Them Out?
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.quotev.com/story/14347909/Urban-Stories/2
      2. ↑ http://folklore.usc.edu/urban-legend-high-school/
      3. ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy/optic-nerve-3
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22261-optic-nerve
      5. ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy/optic-nerve-3
      6. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/opticnervedisorders.html
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317
      8. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-pierced-ears
      9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-pierced-ears
      1. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      2. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
      3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-pierced-ears
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-pierced-ears
      5. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 33,963 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement