What To Know About Pediatric Ear Piercing
Ear piercing can be separated into two categories – infancy and “when they are old enough to ask for it.”
Infancy – Ear piercing during infancy is best done between 3 and 10 months. Before 3 months they are too young and after 10 months they are more active making the actual piercing more difficult.
Older children – Ear piercing after 10 months of age may be slightly more complex. Not only does the child have to ask for the piercing, but they have to sit still for the piercing as well. After 10 months we recommend 3-year-olds being the youngest. However, we can assess on a child-by-child basis depending on the individual.
Ear piercing is not covered by insurance.
We solely pierce ear lobes. We do not pierce the cartilage higher up on the ear as the risk of infection is too great. We do not pierce any other body parts.
We use the patented Medi-System which is only available in a physician’s office. The earring goes in and the backing goes on at the time of the piercing. The tiny “diamond” stud is surrounded by 24-karat gold and the only metal touching your child’s skin is titanium. This inert metal is the least likely to cause any kind of allergic reaction at the site of the piercing.
Ear Piercing Procedure- What to Expect
On the day of your ear piercing appointment, babies are held in their parent or guardian’s arms. Many babies cry briefly when we hold their head still but some may even sleep right through the procedure.
Older children lean against a parent or guardian’s shoulder. To proceed the child must be cooperative. We will not hold an older child down for this elective procedure.
We pierce one ear at a time because it allows for more accurate placement of the earring.
How to care for the piercings is explained before you leave and involves twice daily application of antibiotic ointment for two weeks.
The earring should remain in place for at least two months to allow the hole to be established. After this time when the piercer earring comes out, it should be replaced immediately with another earring so the hole doesn’t close. If you have any difficulty putting in the new earrings, come by and we will do it for you. Avoid tiny earrings with small bases, they may “fall” into the hole and make it bigger.
Whenever you use a new pair of earrings, whether for the first time in two months or the 10th time in two years, always keep an eye on it for the first few weeks. Even 14 and 18-karat gold has impurities and if the ear reacts to the metal it can cause a negative reaction in the piercing.
Whether you decide to pierce your child’s ears as an infant or wait until they are requesting pierced ears, Allied Physicians are here for you, providing safe, clean, and accessible ear piercing. Give our office a call to schedule!