Piercing Your Child or Infants Ears
Risks Associated with Ear Piercing
Well in actuality, yes. Risks associated with body piercing, while some are unlikely, still exist. And with small children or babies, these risks are higher. Body piercing is a change in the body, and you are creating a hole in the ear that was not present before. Ask yourself if you are comfortable with altering your child's body or if you want to adorn their ears just to stop confusion.
If you are still comfortable with piercing, then you should be aware of the risks. Some are minimal and some are more serious.
-Ear piercing guns cannot be sterilized. You could be presenting tetanus, hepatitis B or C, HIV, or other bacteria/infections to your child before their body can fight back.There have been no HIV infections thus far, but its still something you need to be aware of and ensure that your piercer is using the safest and cleanest means possible. If you are vaccinating, you'll want to ensure your child has had a recent tetanus shot and you'll want to be able to prove this to the piercer. If the piercer does not ask about vaccination history, leave quickly-the piercer clearly hasnt been trained on piercing infants or small children.
-The most common risk is scar tissue. A permanent hole is created by scar tissue forming around the piercing. Pulling, stretching, or growth of the ear lobe (which is obvious as your child will continue to grow) can stretch the holes and create excessive scar tissue. Keloid formation can sometimes occur
-Allergic reaction and rejection of the products used in the piercing including the earring metal. Allergic reaction can also occur if you use the improper cleaning products- the newly opened skin can react to soaps or other cleaners. Ask your piercer for suggestions.
-Chlorine reaction, prone to children who are pierced and then swim in swimming pools treated with chlorine. The chlorine will quickly dry out the infants ear tissue around the piercing and can cause the lobe to become dry and fragine. The piercing can be easily torn out, causing obvious damage to the ear
-Swimming in lakes or rivers can also cause infection as the newly opened skin/piercing is introduced to parasites and agents found in streams or rivers.
-Keep in mind that an infant or small child will be pulling on their earrings or piercings. The piercing can be caught in clothing, on pillows or blankets and can either pull out the piercing and rip the lobe, or can infect the piercing. You'll also want to find earrings specially made for infants that have covers on the back to reduce injury and prevent the earring post from damaging the back of the head behind the ear.
Its recommended to wait until they are at least 3 months of age and have received their vaccines if you are vaccinating.
Published by Anna Lane
I am a 25 year old nationally certified therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. I specialize in all areas of research, including both research in ac... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentSorry, your article lost all credibility with me. An ear gun spreading HIV? Have you ever used one? Seen one? They do not pierce the ear and then put an earring in it. The earrings come in a little sealed box, you take it out, insert it into the gun and the earring is what makes the hole in your ear. There is no reusing of the earrings. Scaring people is alright if your facts are in line, but your facts on the possible future spread of HIV through the use of a piercing gun is ridiculous.
There are many reasons that a *real professional* piercer simply won't do a child's ears until they're old enough to ask for it: First of all, it is a body modification and wrong to force onto anyone...basic human rights apply even to the youngest of us. Secondly, it is dangerous and babies are fragile and get infections and dangerous complications easier than an older person. Third, piercing is traumatic...forcing a piercing on someone is just child abuse. Any piercer that uses a piercing gun-- even on the ears-- or any piercer that pierces someone too young to ask, is not a professional and definately shouldn't be piercing anyone at all. Good article though :)