Ear Piercing by a Frisco Pediatrician

Things to Consider Before Getting an Ear Piercing

Whether your child is a newborn, toddler, or a teenager, getting their earlobes pierced is something that should be thought about very carefully. It’s a form of body modification that requires the proper equipment and thorough maintenance to make sure that no complications arise from it. Before you or your child decides to get an ear piercing, consider these things first:

Your child can get his/her ears pierced at any age.

Some parents aren’t thrilled with the idea of piercing their newborn’s earlobes, while others are eager to get them pierced as soon as possible. Realistically, your child can get his/her ears pierced at any age without any risks as long as it is done safely and properly. However, you have to consider if your child is old enough to take care of the piercing on their own and how cooperative they’d be with the process.

Look for a professional ear piercing expert.

The first step to making sure that your child has properly pierced ears is to go to a professional that knows how to do it. Your best option is a pediatrician that offers medical ear piercing because you’ll be 100% sure that the practices are hygienic and safe for your child. Improper piercing could lead to permanent scarring and tissue infection, especially because babies’ skin is sensitive.

Know how it’s done.

Although doctors know what they are doing, as a parent, it’s good to know how your child’s piercing will be performed as it will also help you decide which methods are good for them. Ask your doctor questions, such as what equipment he/she will be using (needles vs piercing guns), if an anesthesia will be used (piercing can be quite painful, so a topical anesthesia might help), what complications you should look out for, and how to take care of the pierced earlobe.

Get hypoallergenic earrings for your child.

Hypoallergenic earrings reduce the risk of allergies caused by nickel in some jewelries. Pediatric offices often use medical grade plastic or titanium earrings to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Choose earrings that are small, round, or anything without edges that could tug or get tangled. Don’t use dangling earrings for your child, no matter how aesthetically pleasing it might look, because it doesn’t have a fastener and poses a choking hazard.

Our method. Our office offers sterile medical grade titanium earrings for piercings. Use of a topical anesthetic to numb the earlobes prior to piercing is available as an option. The child is also sent home with a bottle of cleaning solution for post-piercing ear care.

For more information:

https://www.babycenter.com/0_piercing-your-babys-ears_10341560.bc