Having your child's ears pierced is a fun experience and there are many benefits to professional ear piercing. Whether your child is young or old, there are a few things you need to consider before letting them have their ears pierced.
The most important is safety. You want to be sure that the piercer is using sterile equipment and follows basic safety standards when performing the piercing.
Safety
Getting your kid's ears pierced is an exciting rite of passage for many young girls. However, it's important to choose a professional ear piercing establishment that follows strict, sterile procedures to ensure your child's safety.
Infection is a serious risk with any ear piercing, but it's even more likely to happen if you take your child to an unsanitary place for the procedure. Typical places where kids get their ears pierced are mall kiosks, tattoo and body piercing parlors, and other places that offer “piercing services.”
Non-medical places like these may not use sterilized needles or piercing guns, which could pose risks to your child's health and safety. In addition, sharp earring posts are often exposed and can poke or prick your child's skin during the piercing process.
Pediatricians are able to provide the best possible ear piercing experience for your child because they know the ins and outs of piercing. They'll be familiar with the proper equipment and materials to reduce the chances of an allergic reaction, and they'll be able to give your child a numbing cream prior to piercing to help relieve pain.
They'll also be able to offer a wide selection of jewelry that is safe for kids, including earrings with a secure back that won't fall off easily. Depending on your child's medical history, they may recommend that you choose earrings made from titanium or surgical steel, which are better for reducing the risk of nickel allergy.
Another major benefit of ear piercing done by a medical provider is that they'll be familiar with the proper way to clean a pierced ear. They'll know what to look for when it comes to a potential infection, such as a red, swollen, or warm area that feels painful and has a foul odor.
Children who have an immune deficiency or other health problems can be at greater risk for infections when they're pierced. This is because their immune system might not be as strong, and an infection in the pierced ear can spread to other parts of their bodies.
The most common signs that your child's ear piercing is infected include swelling, a dark discharge with a foul odor, and a small fluid-filled “pimple” at the piercing site. These are all symptoms that indicate you need to call your doctor.
Comfort
When you choose to get your child's ears pierced in a professional medical setting, you can rest assured that they are receiving the best care possible. They are also able to provide clear and comprehensive aftercare instructions. In addition, their health professionals will be able to help them determine whether an infection has developed after the procedure and provide treatment if it does occur.
It's important to keep in mind that ear piercings can be uncomfortable, regardless of age. That's because the piercing site is surrounded by delicate tissue that may swell, causing discomfort.
That's why it's vital that your child's ears are pierced by a professional in an environment where they will be comfortable, and you can trust them to be gentle and patient with your child.
There are a few ways to keep your child's ear piercings comfortable: One is to choose the right jewelry. It's important to use only hypoallergenic studs and clasps so that your child won't have an allergic reaction to the earring's material.
Another way to keep your child's ear ring safe is to make sure that the stud is the right size for their earlobe. This is especially important when getting your child's first ear piercing.
In addition, you should be careful not to change your child's earring too often as this can lead to irritation or an infection. It's also important to rotate their earring's posts gently to prevent them from catching on something and tearing.
Finally, it's also vital to be careful with your child's new piercings while they heal. Infections are common, and you should be on the lookout for symptoms like redness, swelling, itchiness or discharge. If any of these symptoms appear, you should take your child to a doctor immediately so that an antibiotic can be given to treat the infection.
During the healing process, you should not let your child swim or play in water. This can increase the risk of an infection from the impurities in water.
You should also make sure to wash your child's hands and use antiseptic lotion on their earlobes twice a day to avoid bacteria from forming and spreading during the piercing process. This can help your child's piercings heal faster.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness can be defined as “a habit of keeping something clean or sterile.” In the medical world, cleanliness is a very important part of patient care. This is because it plays a vital role in the development of the immune system.
In the case of ear piercings, cleanliness is especially important because it means that your child will be able to heal their piercing properly and prevent infection. Infection is a common complication of ear piercings and it can cause a lot of discomfort for your child.
Your pediatrician will provide your child with instructions on how to keep their ears clean after they have had a piercing. They will usually recommend cleaning the ears at least twice a day and applying rubbing alcohol or antibiotic ointment to them. They will also suggest using a cotton swab to clean the earlobe or lobes.
You will want to avoid changing the earring or earrings during the first few weeks after the piercing because this could irritate the new earring and impede healing. It’s also a good idea to avoid hairspray, perfume, and other chemicals in and around your child’s ears during this time.
Ear piercings will take about 6-8 weeks to fully heal. If your child removes the piercing too soon, it could cause their hole to close and lead to an infection.
In addition to preventing infections, professional ear piercings also minimize your child’s risk of getting a keloid. This is a condition that forms when the cartilage enlarges and can be painful for your child.
This can lead to a long recovery period and is one reason why we recommend that your child wait until they are older before they get their ears pierced.
Another benefit of having a professional pierce your child’s ears is that they will be able to use the best equipment and materials for the procedure. These include specialized piercers and earrings that are made from metals that don’t trigger allergic reactions in many people.
Your child’s doctor will know them well and will be familiar with their vaccination history so they can make sure that they have been vaccinated and are healthy enough for the procedure to proceed. They will also be able to use a sterilized environment for the procedure.
Convenience
The Benefits of Professional Ear Piercing for Kids
One of the biggest advantages to ear piercing done by a medical professional is convenience. Unlike a mall kiosk or fashion accessory store, a medical ear piercing facility has all the proper tools and equipment to perform a safe, clean and effective ear piercing. This ensures that you will not have to worry about infection, hepatitis, or a lousy job that leaves uneven holes in your child’s ears.
You’ll be able to visit multiple ear piercers before settling on a professional that you feel comfortable with. If you’re unsure where to go, ask family and friends for recommendations or read online reviews.
Aside from being convenient, professional ear piercings can be more cost-effective than going to an amateur like a teenager at the mall kiosk. Especially since there are now medical-grade piercers that can be used to pierce your child’s ears safely and quickly.
Another benefit to a piercing done by a medical provider is that they will use earrings made of the best materials for the health and safety of your child. These include titanium, surgical steel, and precious metals to prevent allergic reactions.
Additionally, most piercers will also provide you with earrings that fit your child’s earlobe perfectly. This is important because a loose earring can cause your child to choke on it.
Lastly, a professional will not only use the best tools and materials but they will also take care to clean the area after every child’s ear piercing. This is especially important if your child has a sensitive skin or is prone to infections.
This helps prevent your child from acquiring any infections and will keep the piercing hole clean, so you don’t have to worry about bacteria or fungus spreading into the body afterward.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have their ears pierced by a doctor or other trained professional before they are 5 years old, and that infants wait until after they have received their first set of vaccinations. This is because babies are more susceptible to infections and other conditions when their immune systems are still developing.
