Piercing the ears of babies is a prevalent practice in many cultures worldwide. In certain cultures, the ears of boys are also pierced when they are still babies. However, as a parent, you may be unsure if ear piercing is safe for babies or when to pierce baby ears. Since the practice is painful, parents often find it difficult to decide whether or not they should get their baby’s ear pierced. Moreover, many different perspectives exist around the world about ear piercing. In certain nations, there have been petitions against baby ear piercings. However, in certain others, it is considered traditional and unusual if it is not done. In this post, we answer some frequently asked questions regarding ear piercings for babies, including when and where you can get your baby’s ear pierced, how it is done for babies, and how to prepare your baby for it. The article also offers advice on coping with any infections that babies may contract and recommendations on the type of earrings your infant could wear.
When Can I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there is no fixed age for piercing your child’s ears, and regardless of the age, ear piercing is not risky as long as it is done correctly and hygienically (1). Some parents get it done when the baby is just 12 days old, while some prefer to wait until her first birthday. The Indiana University Health suggests waiting for at least three months before getting the baby’s ears pierced to reduce the risk of infections (2). Therefore, the age may differ depending on the individual child. AAP recommends waiting until the child is old enough to take care of the pierced ear. In real-world terms, this should translate to an age of two years. Two years is a suitable age for ear piercing due to several factors: Your baby’s body is less prone to allergies, she is old enough to understand instructions, and the skin is still soft but not delicate like before. It is also the time by when most of the major immunization shots, including tetanus, would be done (3). A study has illustrated that children are least prone to keloids – an overgrowth of scar tissue – when the piercing is done between one and ten years of age (4). Eventually, you may choose when to get your baby’s ears pierced. If you proceed with the decision of getting your baby’s ears pierced a bit early, then you must get it done at the right place.
Where Can I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
Some people get it done at their local jeweler while some prefer going to a medical professional, who also practices ear piercing. There is no restriction here provided the person is a professional, and the place is aseptic. The tools used for the job must be sterile. Do keep in mind that ear piercing is different for babies and adults. Therefore, do some research and find a place that has a decent reputation of getting the baby piercing done. Do not simply select a random place. Give preference to pediatricians and medical professionals who do ear piercing for a fee, since they are educated about safety guidelines.
How Is The Ear Piercing Done For Babies?
The baby piercing process can be similar to that for adults. Here is a stepwise breakdown of the procedure: Step 1: The technician/doctor disinfects the piercing site by cleaning it with alcohol or any other skin disinfectant. To keep things hygienic and professional, he/she must wear surgical gloves. Step 2: Piercing can be done through needle-based piercers or piercing guns. It depends on what the parent prefers and what the ear piercing professional recommends. Both cause a bit of pain but only when the piercing is in the process that is a few minutes. Step 3: The holes will then be filled with gold-post earrings, which act as a placeholder to prevent the hole from closing. Gold is the metal of choice since it is less likely to cause infections and/ or allergic reactions (5). It does not exacerbate the existing redness and mild inflammation. Make sure the gold is at least 14 karat. An alternative to gold is surgical steel, which is free of nickel. Gold-plated surgical steel earrings are also good. Step 4: The disinfectant should be applied to the piercing site. The technician/doctor will ask you to apply the disinfectant twice a day for a week. You need to then shift the earrings from one ear to another every week for the next six weeks. The bottom ear lobe is the ideal location for piercing. Spots other than the conventional ear lobe are not meant for piercing during childhood. They are also not recommended by pediatric experts (6). Therefore, stick to the lower ear lobe; it is easier and less painful due to an absence of a bone in that region. The process needs preparation from your side, so that it does not become hectic later.
How To Prepare My Baby For Ear Piercing?
Some simple preparation can make the piercing process smooth: Once the piercing is done, you need to choose earrings that are safe and convenient for your little one.
What Are The Types Of Earrings My Baby Can Wear?
Babies should only wear post-type earrings that fasten securely in the hole. Choose earrings that have a soft fastener at the rear, which is less likely to prick the baby’s skin. These earrings are also lightweight.
Never select dangling earrings for your baby. Your baby can accidentally tug at them, thus hurting herself.
Also, stay away from earrings with large and sharp projections at the rear, which may hurt the baby while sleeping. Tend to the piercing site with care.
What Are The Precautions I Must Take After Piercing?
It will take about four to six weeks for the holes to heal. During this phase, check for infections:
As mentioned above, swap the earrings once in a week from one ear to another. Every time you remove an earring, clean it with a cotton swab dipped in a disinfectant.
Tend the pierced site with clean hands. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before you touch your baby’s ears.
Dab some disinfectant twice a day for about 45 days after the piercing is done, to prevent the proliferation of bacteria. Also, wash the area around the ears only with baby-safe antibacterial soap.
Keep your baby away from dust since it can be a carrier of bacteria.
Prevent your baby from tugging her ears.
You are aware that pierced ear holes are prone to infection. Therefore, keep checking for any signs and nip them in the bud. The Seattle Children’s Hospital adds that infection may occur even after the pierced hole has healed if (8):
Earrings and posts are not cleaned regularly.
Earrings are too tight and not taken out at night.
Any scratch or tear occurs in the ear channel due to inserting the post at a wrong angle.
Post contains nickel that may cause itching and allergy.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pierced Hole Infection?
Look out for these early warning signs:
Chronic redness in the ear: Your baby will have some redness in the region for a few days, but if it continues for weeks, then it could be a symptom of a mild infection.
Pus or other fluid oozing from the pierced site: Pus is formed due to an acute accumulation of white blood cells. If there is pus, then there is surely an infection. A mild infection may drip a clear, colorless liquid.
Red blisters: These blisters could be red or maroon in color. They are tender, and your baby may squeal when they are touched, indicating that they are painful.
Large single blister: If you notice a single large blister close to the pierced hole, then it could be a keloid, an overgrowth of scar tissue. Keloids usually have a tendency to get infected.
Fever: An infection could manifest through a fever. If your baby develops a fever a few hours or days after ear piercing, then you must take let to the doctor.
Understanding the reasons for infection can help you take precautions to avoid them.
What Causes Pierced Ear Infection?
The pierced hole in the ear is fundamentally a wound, and just like any other wound, it can be prone to infection from a host of bacteria naturally present on the skin or in the air. Several factors that can aggravate the chances of infection:
Poor maintenance of the pierced area: This includes not swapping the earrings or not cleaning them properly in case you swap them. Infection also happens if you fail to apply the disinfectant.
Exposing the baby to bacteria: Bacteria is found everywhere from the dust found at home to the park the little one goes to play. If you do not take the necessary measures to prevent exposure, then the piercing may get infected.
Tight, uncomfortable earrings: Tight earrings press the hole tightly, slowing down the healing process. Also, it restricts air circulation around that area.
Constant tugging at the ears: If your child tugs the ears, then it can cause an accidental laceration of the piercing, which can get infected.
Even if all the instructions are followed there is always a risk of infection if the skin is pierced. Do not postpone getting help if there is infection. Let your healthcare worker assess if you are worried.
Your baby looks beautiful with those pretty earrings and you will not want that beauty to be disturbed by an infection. So, what can you do about it?
How Should I Treat The Infection?
If you suspect an infection, then apply some disinfectant using a cotton swab and take your baby to the doctor. Do not attempt to treat the infection on your own. Certain remedies, such as hot compresses or running saline water on the ear, work for adults but can be harmful to the delicate skin of the baby. You may unintentionally compound the infection. A medical professional is the right person to assess the infection and give the relevant medication. For most mild infections good cleaning and a topical antibiotic ointment will be enough to treat. In some cases, oral antibiotics and/ or other treatments might be needed.
