Ear Piercing

The desicion of if or when to pierce your child's ears is a personal one. The reason for ear piercing can be cultural or cosmetic but not medically necessary.

The American Academy of  Pediatrics(AAP) says that there is is little risk if the piercing is done carefully and cared for conscientously.

At Spectrum Health Med Spa we offer medical ear piercing using sterile technique, single use cartridges and topical numbing for pain/anxiety management.

 Earing material-Titanium or medical grade plastic

 Numbing: Triple anesthetic numbing gel-prescription only

 Restraint- depending on age, Papoose board 

 Care of piercing and earrings-reviewed at piercing session/handout available in office

 If you’re thinking about getting your child’s ear pierced, you should have it done in the pediatrician’s office.

Here are some good reasons to have your child’s ears pierced by a pediatrician:

• They Know Your Child: If you take your child to their regular pediatrician to have their ears pierced, then the doctor will already be familiar with your child and their medical history. They’ll be able to see your child’s vaccination history to ensure they have received the recommended immunizations before piercing.

Also, your child may be more comfortable with a doctor or nurse practitioner they know than a stranger at a jewelry store. The more relaxed they are, the easier the process will be.

• You Know you’re in a Safe Environment: You can be confident that a pediatrician’s office is a safe and clean place for the piercing to take place. The staff of a doctor’s office takes great care to make sure everything is sanitized and all equipment used is sterilized properly.

• They Use the Best Equipment and Materials: Another reason ear piercing for kids should be done by a pediatrician is because of the equipment used. The pediatrician will be able to use medical-grade piercers rather than a standard piercing gun you’d see at the mall or other retail stores. Also, medical providers will use earrings made of the right materials to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Most doctors use earrings made of titanium, surgical steel, or precious metal.

• They’re Medical Professionals: Bottom line is that the pediatrician is trained to give your child the best care in all areas, including ear piercing. They can also offer clear and comprehensive aftercare instructions and are there to follow up if there are any problems like infection after the piercing is done.

Ear Piercing Safety and Care

After your child’s ears are pierced, you should carefully follow the instructions your pediatrician gives you to care for the new piercings. The American Academy of Pediatricians has comprehensive guidelines on how to avoid infections after ear piercing, but here are the basics.

• Leave earrings in for at least 8 weeks after the piercing. This is the standard length of time a piercing takes to heal and if earrings are removed before this point, then the hole may close.
• Stick to post or stud earrings for the first several months after piercing. Very small children should wear studs until they get older. 
• Don’t touch a piercing unless you are cleaning it.
• Wash hands before touching a piercing to clean it.
• Regularly clean ear piercings two to three times a day. Use alcohol on a cotton swab and clean the front and back of the piercing. Make sure to get to the actual piercing under the earring.
• Ensure the back of the earring is on and secure (but not on too tight) during cleaning.
• Rotate the post of the earring gently during each cleaning.
• Take care not to pull on earrings when washing or brushing hair to prevent tears.
• Try to keep your child out of hot tubs, pools, and natural bodies of water during healing if possible. A lot of people swim with newly pierced ears and are fine, but exposure to the water may increase the chance of infection. If children do go swimming, make sure to clean the piercings afterward.
• Keep an eye out for symptoms of infection like itchiness, redness, pain or sensitivity, and discharge. Take your child to see the doctor if those symptoms appear.