Safe Ear Piercing for Kids

Ear piercing for kids throws up many questions – when, where & how are just some of them! Check out our complete guide that answers all your doubts.

Ear piercing for kids is one of those subjects with multiple opinions from everyone – even experts seem to be divided on the matter! This only makes matters more confusing for parents, especially new ones.

When’s the best age to pierce your child’s ears? Where should you do it? What’s the best technique? What should be your baby’s first earrings? How do you care for the piercing?

We’re here to answer all these questions – and more!

Cultural Ear Piercing Traditions

It is difficult to talk about ear piercing for kids without mentioning its cultural significance, especially in a country like India. For generations, ear piercing has been an integral part of childhood in many cultures of the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

In India, it is believed that wearing earrings is a symbol of prosperity and offers protection against evil. Native Americans considered ear piercing an important part of religious ceremonies. Some African communities see ear piercing as a sign of bravery and as an integral part of identity. In fact, even the mummies of Egyptian pharaohs were found with holes on their ear lobes.

Some ancient medicine systems like Ayurveda and Chinese acupressure treatment consider ear piercings to be beneficial for overall health, like improving brain development, regulating hormones and improving vision and speech.

Traditionally, a child’s ear piercing was considered an occasion for celebration, and a goldsmith was brought in to pierce the ears. The first pair of earrings was gifted by an elder of the family and considered a treasured possession.

What is the best age for ear piercing in kids?

Okay, so this is the first question that arises when discussing ear piercing for kids – what’s the best time to do it?

Some parents prefer doing it when their child is still a baby, so they won’t remember the pain. Others think it makes sense to wait till the kids are older and can care for the piercings by themselves. Others may have cultural or religious factors to consider before making a decision.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting till children are old enough to manage the piercings, but it also says that any age is fine as long as it is done following proper safety protocols. This seems to be the most common recommendation among experts today.

That said, it is not advisable to pierce a newborn’s ears, when their immunity is low and there is a high chance of getting infected. It’s best to wait till the child has had at least two rounds of vaccinations, including the DTaP vaccine. This helps prevent diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, which can occur from a puncture wound from the piercing object.

Here are a few common worries parents have regarding the best age for ear piercing for kids:

• Keloids – These are tiny nodules that occur due to an injury to the earlobe, but these aren’t a result of early piercing – in fact, piercing after the age of 11 makes a child more vulnerable to keloids
• Drooping piercings – Some people worry that as the child grows, a piercing made in infancy or toddlerhood can end up off-center or drooping – but this rarely happens
• Infection risk – Any piercing always carries a risk of infection, regardless of the child’s age. A piercing will need the right care – however, an older child can manage this on their own.

If your child has a skin illness, weak immunity, a tendency for allergies, a family history of keloids or any underlying medical condition, it’s important to consult your doctor first before getting their ears pierced.

Safety Tips for Ear Piercing for Kids

Choose the right place

So what is the best place for ear piercing for kids?

Today, ear piercing services are available at multiple places – jewelry stores, hospitals, clinics, tattoo parlors, malls and temples. Your family may have a preferred spot to get ear piercings, but it is important to consider the safety and hygiene of the place you pick.

Since those are the most important considerations, a hospital or pediatrician’s clinic is the safest option, considering the doctor knows what they’re doing and everything will be sterilized to perfection. If you are choosing to go elsewhere, make sure you ask about their sterilization procedures. Opting for a place that specializes in ear piercing for kids also makes it more comfortable for your child.

Choose an appropriate method

This is the next big question when it comes to ear piercing for kids – gun or needle?

While needles have been the traditional choice, many people consider a piercing gun to be better, because of how quick and convenient it is. However, there are a few issues with piercing guns:

• Ear piercing guns are reusable and the whole gun is usually not sterilized, which means every client comes in direct contact with blood or body tissues of the previous client
• Piercing guns use the tip of the stud to make the hole, and they’re usually quite dull, leading to tissue damage and blunt force trauma
• Since anyone can operate a piercing gun, you can’t be sure that the person handling it has had any training on the hygiene and safety protocols to follow

Whichever option you choose, make sure that the person doing the piercing is well-trained. They should wash their hands with soap, wear a fresh pair of disposable gloves, and sterilize everything that will be used for the piercing, including the needle and jewelry. They should also have a first-aid kit accessible. A good piercing center will also have other helpful aids like numbing creams to lessen the pain.

Choose the right earrings

Most people don’t think about the child’s first earrings beyond their aesthetic value, but they’re more important than that.

Choose earrings that are made of materials with the best biocompatibility – this means materials that will not react to the skin, and will not oxidize on exposure to air. Go for hypoallergenic materials like stainless steel, sterling silver, titanium, or gold – at least 14 karat. Avoid white gold since it may contain nickel, which could cause an allergy.

Besides the material, another thing to consider is the locking mechanism. With small babies, there is a risk of the earring back falling off and becoming a choking hazard. Prevent this by choosing screw-back earrings, especially for young children.

It’s a good idea to choose earrings that are small, but large enough for the fastener to cover the entire back. Keep the earrings as flat as possible in the front, so they are comfortable. Avoid hoops or anything dangling – young children can pull at them and cause the earlobe to tear.

Aftercare for Ear Piercing in Kids

Immediately after piercing, the skin on the earlobes may be sensitive, red or swollen. Your child may experience some pain or discomfort, but it will wear away soon. To ensure the piercings heal properly and don’t get infected, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to remember.

Do’s:

• For young children, have a special toy or book handy to keep them distracted from the pain and discomfort
• If the pain is making them cranky and fussy, ask your doctor about an OTC pain reliever appropriate for your child’s age
• Clean the pierced area – front and back – with a mild soap or saline solution every day
• Make sure that the earring back is securely fastened in place and will not fall off
• Whenever you need to touch the piercing, wash your hands with soap and water first
• If your piercer says so, rotate the earring once every day, depending on the kind of earring you’ve used
• If your child has long hair, tie it up so it doesn’t get tangled in the piercing, especially during sleep
• Let your child wear loose clothes or shirt-style tops till the piercing heals, so the piercings aren’t rubbed against when putting on a close-necked t-shirt or dress

Don’ts:

• Pierce the cartilage – they take longer to heal and can cause keloids
• Remove or change the earrings for at least six weeks
• Touch the piercings or pierced area except during cleaning
• Use strong soaps, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the piercing
• Use chemical-laden products like hair sprays, shampoos, perfumes etc.
• Wear over-the-ear headphones
• Swim in lakes, oceans, pools or hot tubs to prevent infection
• Engage in high-intensity activities that require wearing a helmet

Common Ear Piercing Problems in Children

While ear piercing for kids is generally safe, about 35% of them do result in complications, often due to a lapse in care or cleaning. Here are some of the common problems seen when children’s ears are pierced:

• Young children pulling and tugging at the piercing, causing tearing or preventing it from healing
• Earrings getting stuck in clothes or hair, causing the earlobe to get pulled
• Embedding of the earring back into the skin of the ear
• Formation of scar tissue over the piercing
• Bleeding from the site of the piercing
• Allergic reaction to the material used for piercing or the earrings
• Infection of the pierced site, which appears painful, swollen and warm to the touch, accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge

Most of these problems are easily rectified with a single visit to the doctor’s clinic. An infection can be treated with a round of antibiotics, while an allergic reaction will require a change in jewelry. Tears may require antibiotics or even stitches, depending upon the severity. If you notice pus, pain, redness or swelling that lasts longer than 24 hours, or if your child gets a high temperature, contact your doctor right away.

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