Contents
- 1 When to pierce the ears of baby girls and girls
- 2 The risks of pierced ears
- 3 Who to contact to pierce the ears
- 4 Which earrings to choose
- 5 What to do after pierced ears
The pierced ears of newborns and girls do not know half measures: either they like them very much or they hate each other. In Britain, for example, a mother launched a collection of signatures to be presented to the government to make this practice illegal. In a very short time it has enjoyed considerable success. It is therefore inevitable that debates, doubts and controversies will arise around this issue. Is it right to do them? And when? Better to be very small or to wait? In reality, there are several aspects to consider in this choice. And now we see them together.
There are many mothers who want to pierce their daughter's ears because they think that earrings are something pretty that can make the girl prettier (some, very "crazy", want to do them - and they do - even for boys and girls. cases are not as rare as one might think). Until a few years ago it was a very common habit and there were not a few girls who came out of the hospital already "equipped" with earrings. In many areas of our country it was also a cultural tradition, which today however is in a bit of a crisis.
When to pierce baby girls and girls ears
As mentioned, some mothers would like to make them very soon and there are those who actually succeed. To tell the truth, however, in very young girls - under 6 months - they should not be practiced (and we will soon see the risks). It is therefore better to wait for them to grow up a little: on average it is recommended to wait until the girls are 6-7 years old. At that age, their immune systems were sufficiently strengthened.
One aspect is very important and many times instead it is overshadowed by mothers who have this irrepressible desire to put earrings on their daughters. The question is: are we really sure that the girl wants to have her ears pierced? Isn't it better then to wait until she is old enough to be able to decide on her body a little more independently? Every mother should think very well about this fact, that she is not insignificant.
The risks of pierced ears
The risks of this technique are the same at all ages, but in the more tender ones they can be even more serious. This is due to the delicacy of the skin and the organism of the little ones:
- Infections: Even if done in a safe and clean environment, piercing the ears can lead to infections. This is even more common for a newborn whose immune system is still immature;
- allergic reactions: the materials of the earrings can trigger an allergy which, in very young girls, can be difficult to treat;
- pain: small children suffer more from painful stimuli;
- accidents: babies are always on the move. The earrings could therefore get caught in the mother's sweater and, by pulling, the child could get injured. Or they could break off and possibly be ingested. Of course it seems a catastrophic eventuality, but you absolutely must not take it lightly;
- ingrown earring: it may happen that the earring is "incorporated" by the lobe and removing it may not be easy.
Who to contact to pierce the ears
If you decide that the time has come to put the earrings on your daughter, try to act correctly. Her health is at stake and you can't joke about it. One very important rule: never rely on inexperienced people. An example? The elderly neighbor, who was a midwife and who tells you "that she pierced dozens and dozens of ears when she worked", is not an expert person.
Generally, the pierced ears are made in a jewelry or pharmacy and pneumatic guns are used. Do not go to makeshift places or centers where they do piercings and tattoos (unless they also specialize in earrings). Do not go anywhere where they propose to pierce the earlobe with the needle, as our grandmothers did.
It is essential that the skin is disinfected before making the holes: not just the earlobe, but the whole back. In addition, the instruments must be single-use and sterile.
Which earrings to choose
The basic aspect is that they are made of hypoallergenic material to avoid reactions, even if it must be said that there is no absolute certainty: for example, there are also people who are allergic to gold, usually considered quite safe. In any case, in the earrings used for holes, it is often mixed with other materials, potentially allergenic.
Nickel and chromium are substances that frequently cause allergies. The bottom of the earring, on the other hand, must be made of surgical steel, which gives you maximum safety. No costume jewelry earrings. The materials could be very poor.
The earrings must have a screw closure. So they do not come off easily, which instead can happen for example with those with a ring.
What to do after pierced ears
For a few days it is advisable to pass an antibiotic-based ointment on the lobes, to avoid the risk of infection. However, if this occurs, you notice it because the ear becomes red, swollen and painful and there are traces of yellow pus. If, on the other hand, the reaction is allergic, the child will itch, small blisters will appear and the skin will gradually tend to exfoliate. In both cases it is necessary to remove the ears and notify the pediatrician. She will suggest what to do.
