- Infant Ear Canal Insights from a Medical Expert
"Kid, I wanna get my ears pierced too!" - a common request from many kiddos once they see their peers at preschool or school sporting shiny earrings. But is this wish appropriate for young children? Dr. Jacob Mask, a pediatrician based in Berlin and spokesperson for the German Pediatricians Association, suggests against piercing infant's or even toddler's ears. However, he has encountered babies under a year old who've already had their ears pierced within his practice.
"Ear piercing procedures disrupt the child's physical integrity. Therefore, it's recommended only for children who can make the decision for themselves." It's crucial that the children are old enough to comprehend that the procedure may cause pain and understand the consequences. "This isn't the case with a four-year-old, but rather with children around 14-15 years old, who can make informed decisions for themselves."
Piercing studios also consider the age of the children: "Many piercing studios set a minimum age of 14 and require both parents' consent," stated the German Piercing Society (DGP) to stern. Child protection and preservation of their integrity are their top priorities.
What seems like a minor prick in the earlobe can pose certain risks. For example, children may have an allergy to nickel in earrings. Nickel regulations exist in the EU, which are outlined in the Chemical Regulation. Limit values for nickel in initial piercings are also set in the EU. However, past investigations by the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety have shown that these limit values are often exceeded. An allergy to nickel is a contact allergy, meaning the body reacts to contact with the material, which may result in itching, swelling, redness, pain, blisters, or papules around the contact area.
Ear piercings should be avoided in young children
Moreover, the pierced ear holes are wounds that can harbor harmful pathogens, increasing the risk of infection. "Infections can spread and the earlobes are located near the brain area, so parents should monitor for major infections," warns Dr. Jacob Mask in an interview with stern. Small children may pull out the earrings or catch them on objects while playing and thus injure their earlobe. "We often see that the earrings get stuck in the earlobe. And then they have to be surgically removed," reports the pediatrician.
To minimize the risk of infections, parents should ensure that the procedure is carried out hygienically. This entails utilizing sterilized tools, wearing gloves, disinfecting the area, and cleansing the skin. "It's difficult to recommend a location for ear piercing since it's not a medical field. Whether it's a jeweler or a piercing studio, the hygienic conditions must be up to standard," says Mask. Titanium earrings should be used as the first earring to aid the healing process in the puncture channel, recommends Dr. Jacob Mask. Proper aftercare guidelines should also be provided.
According to DGP, a reputable piercing studio can be identified by the following features:
Hygiene:
It should use sterile disposable materials and instruments.
Jewelry:
Jewelry should be packaged sterilely and made of suitable materials, such as titanium.
Consultation:
Individuals seeking ear piercing should be fully informed about the risks and aftercare.
Qualification:
Piercers should be competently trained and experienced.
References:
Customer reviews can provide valuable insights.
Proper Aftercare is Crucial
Ear piercings can be carried out using an ear piercing gun or a needle. The DGP advises against utilizing an ear piercing gun. "A piercing needle can create the hole more gently and precisely than a quick gun shot, resulting in less skin irritation and trauma."
Freshly pierced ears require about six to twelve weeks for healing. Therefore, they should only be touched with thoroughly cleaned hands to minimize the risk of germs and dirt entering the piercing canal. Regular cleaning with a suitable disinfectant is crucial, maintaining the piercing canal dry as moisture promotes germ growth. Avoid contact with the piercings while washing hair.
"During the healing phase, strong mechanical stimuli, like wearing headgear, headphones, or sleeping on the freshly pierced ear, should be avoided," advises the DGP. The less stimuli on the freshly pierced area, the better the ear piercing can heal. New ear studs should not be rotated or moved. "The claim that this would cause them to grow together with the ear is a myth," says the DGP.
Monitoring piercings during the healing phase is essential to detect signs of infection early. "Parents should watch for redness around the ear piercing, swelling, and warmth. These are the classic signs of infection," says pediatrician Jakob Mask. If pus emerges from the wound, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Visiting a doctor at the first signs of redness is advised.
The text emphasizes that ear piercings should be avoided in young children due to potential risks such as infections, allergic reactions, and accidents. Accordingly, two relevant sentences could be:
"Parents should wait until their children are old enough to make informed decisions and understand the potential risks before considering ear piercings, ideally around 14-15 years old."
"Given the risks associated with ear piercings in young children, parents should ensure that any piercing studio they visit follows strict hygiene protocols and uses suitable materials for jewelry, like titanium."
