FOLLOWING the row between Kerry Katona and Lucy Beaumont, the comedian who claimed it should be “illegal” to pierce a baby’s ears, an allergy doctor has spoken up.
The medical professional is warning parents why they shouldn’t get infants’ ears pierced.
5
5
Dr Tania Elliot, from New York, is a board-certified physician of 15 years, as well as a mum-of-two.
She often uses her Instagram to share advice on health and parenting advice, where she has over 96.5K followers.
In a recent viral video, she talks about ear piercing – and how this could have long-term consequences if done when children are very young.
Dr Elliott warns that this could lead to infection or developing a nickel allergy.
There is currently no legal age restriction for ear piercing in the UK or US, but a legal guardian must be present if the person is under 18.
“Piercing your child’s ears when they’re infants can lead to bacterial infections requiring antibiotics, abscesses, and damage to the ear tissue and cartilage when done incorrectly, Dr Elliott told What’s The Jam.
“Especially, with certain commonly used devices and when the right sanitisation protocols are not followed.
“It can happen at any age but young infants with a developing immune system are most prone.
“Ear piercing is [also] one the most common causes of nickel allergy, which can lead to skin rashes.
“While babies’ immune systems are developing and the skin is pierced, the body mounts an immune response.
“The next time it is exposed to anything containing nickel, an allergic reaction can happen.
“It’s safe to pierce your child’s ears when they are old enough to care for them to prevent infection and understand not to touch the ears or pick at them while they are healing, and with the use of nickel-free devices and jewellery.”
As for the perfect age? Dr Elliott says it’s okay for children aged seven upwards – and it’s a rule she follows herself.
The mum has two kids, aged 10 and 12 and was very careful with choosing the beauty practitioner and earrings.
She said: “We reviewed how to responsibly care for the earrings and I was there to sanitize them twice a day.
“We went to a place that uses nurses and hand-pressurized devices.
If you do pierce your child’s ears, consider a needle or hand-pressurized device versus a piercing gun, when you have no control over the pressure of the device and it can lead to cartilage damage
Dr Tania Elliot
“I also recommend having it done by a medical professional such as a nurse who is trained in safe cleaning and sanitizing practices to reduce infection risk.
“We also chose jewellery that was 18K gold so contained no nickel.”
Dr Tania Elliot isn’t alone with her concerns around ear piercing.
Just last week, comedian and actress, Lucy Beaumont took it one step further with a post she made on X, [formerly Twitter], saying she would ‘like to boycott piercer Claire’s earrings.’
Tagging the well-know high street piercing shop Claire’s Accessories, the mum of one said asked: “Why isn’t it illegal to pierce a baby’s ears? @claires.
“I’d like to boycott them to make it stop, it’s mental, I recently saw a baby go from smiley and happy to in complete shock and in pain.. plus the risk of infection.
“Babies don’t need earrings!,” she affirmed.
Safe practices when getting a child’s ears pierced
- Age: Traditions vary, however it is medically recommended that parents wait until children are able to manage and help care for the piercing on their own
- Reputable place: Be sure to select a reputable place with sterile practices. If you are unsure, ask about their sterilisation procedures
- Piercing technique: A needle piercing technique is recommended over the use of gun piercing for children because it tends to reduce the risk of infection and scarring
- Earrings: Choose earrings made of hypoallergenic materials, such as sterling silver and 14-, 18- or 24-karat gold. These types of metals are not likely to cause an allergic reaction. AVOID Nickel.
- After-care: Keep earrings in for four to six weeks and clean the area with a saline solution twice a day. Even if your child is old enough, don’t leave this responsibility entirely up to them
- Monitor: It can take several months for piercings to fully heal so keep an eye on both lobes and cover the piercing when playing sports until you’re over the six week mark, whereby you can remove the piercing for extra safety
For Dr Anita Elliot, it’s the nickel and risk of allergy and infection that concerns her most.
Aside from jewellery, nickel can be found in belt buckles, some toys and even foods like soy, chocolate, nuts and canned goods.
In addition to her piercing advice, Dr Elliott says she has another rule, which is a more common one: no shoes in the house.
This isn’t just to avoid dirt in the house but to minimise the risk of dangerous bacteria sneaking its way inside.
She added: “They carry all kinds of grime, viruses, and bacteria on them. “Keep your home a shoe-free zone.”
Her video has nearly 10,000 likes, however, some users have slammed the doctor for not considering cultural differences.
“I would not want to pierce my child’s ears because I want them to decide on their own,” added someone else.
Deb asked for more information, saying: “Dr, why do you not want them to wear shoes in the house.”
Another person shared their own experience, adding: “My mum delayed my ears getting pierced until I was in primary and I do have reactions to any earrings with the memory of it getting it done along with needle fear and trauma.
Stress is worse sometimes.
I refused to do the same and got my girls all done asap from birth.”
Jewharra said: “That’s what happens when people pierce their babies with cheap jewelry.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Alicia said: “Cuban girls get their ears pierced very young.
Nowadays after shots, but when I was born in 1958, it was probably at about 6 weeks. Have never heard of a problem from it. Why do you recommend against it?”
5
5