Is it okay to pierce the ears of a newborn? & bull; hello healthy

When your baby is born into the world, you must have prepared the best for him. Room, new bedding, clothes, diapers and maybe jewelry. If your child is a girl, you may be thinking about getting your baby's ears pierced as soon as possible. Some parents think that getting a baby pierced as early as possible will prevent the child from remembering the pain later in life. However, some of them certainly think otherwise, feeling sorry if they have to pierce a newborn. However, from a medical point of view, which one is more appropriate to do? Is piercing a newborn's ear safe?

Please consider the following information so that ear piercings will not harm your baby.

How old can my baby's ears be pierced?

The most feared thing when piercing a newborn is the risk of infection. dr. Dyan Hes, a pediatrician from New York, said the procedure for piercing babies should be done as much as possible by a doctor or specialist in a hospital. This is because the professional staff in the hospital understand better the principles of equipment sterility and the environment. She also recommends waiting for the baby to be at least two months old before piercing it.

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Although there is very little chance of infection, if a baby is less than two months old has a skin infection and fever, the complications that occur can become serious. In these circumstances, the doctor may have to take blood and urine cultures of the baby to rule out a systemic infection or a complete infection.

However, the good news is, this rarely happens. In fact, most babies in various countries get pierced soon after birth and don't get any infections.

What kind of earrings are safe for baby's skin?

Experts recommend that doctors and nurses use studs made of silver, platinum, gold, or stainless when piercing. Ring earrings are not recommended. Earrings made of precious metal and stainless steel in the form of buttons can minimize the risk of infection and rashes. dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, a pediatric dermatologist from California said that some metals, especially nickel, often cause reactions such as contact dermatitis and allergic reactions.

When piercing small children, it is recommended that you wear earrings that are small and fit the ears, and do not have hanging or sharp ends. Note that small objects can pose a choking threat. In addition, small objects also have the possibility to clog the outer ear canal or nose if your child plays with them, or the object will come off when your child falls.

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Alternatively, earrings that are ring-shaped or have dangling ends can get caught in clothes or can be easily grabbed by your little one. If your child's ear lobe is torn, a plastic surgeon will be required to treat it.

What to do after your baby's ears have been pierced?

The main key that you need to remember when your little daughter is pierced is to take good care of her to prevent infection. After piercing, make sure to always clean the child's ears thoroughly both front and back, with alcohol and cotton bud. The doctor may order an antibiotic ointment to apply to your child's ear. Apply the ointment after you clean it with alcohol.

Make sure to regularly clean your baby's ears morning and night for about one week. Wearing earrings must also be twisted several times a day. The first time you wear earrings, you need to wear them for at least 4 to 6 weeks before replacing them with new ones. This is to avoid the possibility of the hole being closed again. Ring-shaped earrings that attach to your ears are probably the best and safest option if you are replacing a first-time button ring.

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Apart from cleaning it every other day, also avoid taking your child to the swimming pool during the healing process of the wound on his ear. This aims to prevent secondary infections and infections that may develop through the blood. If the pierced area becomes red, swollen, or pus, immediately take your child to the doctor for evaluation and given antibiotics as soon as possible.

The advantages of piercing baby ears from an early age

Believe it or not, getting your child pierced at an early age provides benefits. Children who were pierced as babies will have the risk of developing keloids or scars that are getting smaller. Keloids or scars can usually appear on the pierced area and are more common in dark-skinned children. Research shows that keloids generally appear in children who are pierced after the age of 11. If a keloid forms, it will require an injection and a small operation to remove it.