Ear Piercing and Infection

My daughter is 4-months-old and I would like to have her ears pierced, but I want to make sure she is not too young for that. Are there any risks associated with piercing at this age?

Women, children and even men have worn earrings dating back to Biblical times and while ear piercing used to be considered a “rite of passage” into adulthood, we now see young children and even babies with pierced ears.  Even if it is quite common to see infants with earrings, there are some health issues parents should consider before proceeding with the piercing.

The major concern is infection.  Piercing should be done by a reputable expert who follows aseptic technique (wears gloves, sterilizes equipment and uses alcohol or other antiseptic on the skin).  Earring posts should be hypo-allergenic stainless steel or gold to reduce the chances of an allergic reaction which also can lead to infection.  The initial posts should stay in place for six weeks.  The pierced area of the ear should be cleaned, front and back, with alcohol several times a day. You should try to keep the babies hands away from her newly pierced ears.

Second to infection, it is very important that the piercing not be done before infants have completed their DPT shots.

Infants should only wear stud earrings, or earrings that lie close to the skin. Loops or dangling earrings can get caught in clothing or on objects and tear the ear lobe. Children also are much more prone to play with and pull on dangling earrings. With any earring, parents should make sure the back of the earring is secure and does not become loose or fall off, creating the risk of swallowing the earring.

Parents may also be confronted by older children who not only want to pierce their ear lobes, but the cartilage on the outer ear. I strongly advise against this since cartilage is easily injured, easily infected and has such poor blood supply that it will heal very poorly. There are known instances where cartilage piercing has lead to severe infection and ultimate disfiguration of the ear itself.

Some people, regardless of age, are prone to form keloids. These growths, such as scar tissue, occur after tissue injury and become large, unsightly growths that are difficult to correct. If there is any family history of keloid formation, it is advisable not to pierce your daughter’s ears until she is much older, such as a teenager or young adult. It may make good sense not to pierce your child’s ear until she is old enough to make the personal decision herself.

In our society, ear piercing is considered a fashion statement and is popular among boys and girls, men and women. If you do consider ear piercing for your child, no matter what their age, you should discuss the pros and cons with your child and your physician, making sure you take the necessary steps to prevent infection or injury.  There is no reason to risk a serious health problem for a cosmetic effect.