Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
When Can One Get A Baby Ears Pierced?
Posted on
Sat, 9 Apr 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 9 Apr 2016
Answered on
Tue, 7 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : when can you get a babies ears pierced
Brief Answer:
Any age ok:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
About getting a baby's ears' pierced, the XXXXXXX Academy of Pediatrics states that parents can have their babies' ears pierced at any age but recommends that parents wait until the child is mature enough to take care of the pierced site themselves. This decreases risks of infections.
However, if you want to have your baby's ears pierced sooner, it's recommended that gold posts be used to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction and inflammation, and that rubbing alcohol or antibiotic ointment be applied to the area three times daily for a few days to reduce the risk of infection. Parents should leave the earring in for 4 to 6 weeks, and gently rotate it each day.
Complications, are relatively minor and include the following:
- Keloid formation (particularly if there is a family history of developing keloids from scar healing)
- Bleeding
- Contact allergies from an allergy to the material in the earring.
- Post traumatic tearing, which is more common with dangling earrings which would be inappropriate for a young child.
- Deformation of the outer ear, which is more common with higher ear piercings
- Embedded backings
- Infection and purulent discharge, which occurs in 24 percent of all ear piercings.
I hope this information helps.
Any age ok:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
About getting a baby's ears' pierced, the XXXXXXX Academy of Pediatrics states that parents can have their babies' ears pierced at any age but recommends that parents wait until the child is mature enough to take care of the pierced site themselves. This decreases risks of infections.
However, if you want to have your baby's ears pierced sooner, it's recommended that gold posts be used to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction and inflammation, and that rubbing alcohol or antibiotic ointment be applied to the area three times daily for a few days to reduce the risk of infection. Parents should leave the earring in for 4 to 6 weeks, and gently rotate it each day.
Complications, are relatively minor and include the following:
- Keloid formation (particularly if there is a family history of developing keloids from scar healing)
- Bleeding
- Contact allergies from an allergy to the material in the earring.
- Post traumatic tearing, which is more common with dangling earrings which would be inappropriate for a young child.
- Deformation of the outer ear, which is more common with higher ear piercings
- Embedded backings
- Infection and purulent discharge, which occurs in 24 percent of all ear piercings.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
