Piercing one's ears is a tradition for many people. Piercing earlobes is a popular trend among kids of all ages. The piercing of cartilage is also considered the norm. There are a variety of piercings your kid may desire in or around the ear, including the helix, industrial, daith, and rook. But what exactly should you know before deciding to pierce your kid's ears?
What Is the Best Age to Pierce Your Child's Ears?
The choice to get your ears pierced should not be made lightly. There is the issue of giving one's informed permission, in addition to the possible dangers of the treatment itself.
According to several doctors and piercing specialists, children shouldn't have their ears pierced until they're ready. Plus, it's possible that younger kids can't manage to cleanse the piercing. Therefore, it is best to wait till a child is older before allowing them to be pierced.
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When Choosing Earrings, Which Material Is Best?
Numerous substances are deemed "safe" for piercings once they have healed, but only a select number are allowed for initial piercings. What may be the cause of this? Piercings, especially the first time around, need the highest biocompatibility level in the jewelry chosen.
While your body is busy healing your piercing, you should wear jewelry that won't affect its progress. Use standard materials like stainless steel, titanium, gold, niobium, and glass.
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Are Piercing Guns Safe?
Although easily available and (apparently) simple to use, Piercer guns are not safe for anybody of any age. The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) warns that using a gun that has been reused for many piercings might expose new customers to the bodily fluids of previously pierced customers.
"Ear piercing studs are often extremely dull," thus "piercing guns may inflict considerable tissue injury." Additionally, piercing guns cause/work by delivering blunt force trauma, and not all customers will be a good fit for the length and/or stud employed in the device.
"Ear piercing studs are too short for certain earlobes and most cartilage," the APP continues. In addition, they cause tissue compression, which slows recovery.
The absence of aseptic techniques and a fundamental understanding of disease transmission has resulted in reported incidences of disease transmission through piercing guns. In a nutshell, penetrating devices should be avoided. The potential for discomfort, disease, and/or blunder is too high.
Where Can—& Should—You Get Your Child's Ears Pierced?
Having a professional pierce your ears or your kid's is best. Although many individuals have had their bodies pierced using ice and a sewing needle, this technique is neither hygienic, safe, or clean.
"A reputable piercing shop will make sure that everything is clean," states an article published by Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Before beginning, you should see the individual engaging in hand hygiene, whether washing their hands, using hand sanitizer or donning gloves. Your ear lobes should be washed with antibacterial soap, and this individual should do it for you." Sterilization of the jewelry is also recommended.
What Are the Signs of Infection After Ear Piercing?
There will be no hiding the signs of infection in your child's piercing. Redness, discomfort, swelling, and/or heat may also be present. Dark yellow, green, or red discharge is possible.
Typically, the smell of this discharge is unpleasant. Occasionally, a little "pimple" containing fluid may show up. Antiseptics may do their job more effectively if they can get into the wound, and discharge can drain. This may lead to the infection spreading beyond the wound's original site. Without jewelry, the wound's surface will eventually seal, trapping the infection within.
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How Should You & Your Child Care For Their New Piercing?
Care for your piercings correctly, even if they don't take much upkeep. You and your kid should try not to touch it. You should always wash your hands before touching the piercing, even if it's only to clean it. Use a gentle soap for this. After that, you should wash the region with saline solution or soap without dyes or fragrances. Also, be patient. Healing is a gradual process.
There are some things you shouldn't do, though. Earring twisting, popular in the 1980s and 1990s, is now frowned upon. Jewelry should be left in place during the healing period, and harsh agents like rubbing alcohol and/or hydrogen peroxide should be avoided. Both ear piercings and cartilage piercings need at least this amount of time to heal properly. Keep hairspray, shampoo, perfume, and similar agents away from the earrings, and take care while dressing or grooming your child.
Should Children With New Piercings Avoid Sports & Other Activities?
Some medical professionals think it's safe for kids, but others say they should be extra vigilant, particularly in the first two weeks after getting their ears pierced.
The Association of Professional Piercers has recommended that you don't go swimming in the lake or ocean because unidentified microorganisms are possible. For the same reason, you should stay out of pools and hot tubs. Sports that need protective headgear, such as horseback riding or baseball, would need to be put on hold for a week or two.
