Pretty, Pretty Piercings

What should you consider before getting your child’s ears (or anything else) pierced? We get straight to the, er, point

- Aleigh Acerni

Not too long ago, my 4-year-old daughter studied me intently. Then she cocked her head, cleared her throat, and said, “Mommy, can you take me to a place where someone can put holes in my ears? I want to wear earrings like you.”

This innocent question from my jewelry-loving daughter sent me on a quest for information. How do I make sure she gets pierced safely? And what I can I do to ensure she won’t end up with slightly uneven piercings like mine?

The American Academy of Pediatrics released its first-ever report on tattooing, piercing and scarification in adolescents and young adults in the fall of 2017. The pediatrician and piercing professional I spoke with echoed much of the same advice found in the report. Here’s what parents should know.

YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN 

Unlike tattoo parlors, there are no safety regulations or inspections for piercing facilities in North or South Carolina. That doesn’t mean it isn’t safe to get a piercing done here, but it does mean that the burden is on the consumer to make an informed decision about the facility and the expertise of the person doing the piercing.

Whether you have your child’s ears pierced at the mall, the pediatrician’s office or at a piercing shop, it’s important to keep in mind that any piercing is a cosmetic procedure, says Dr. Rhonda Patt, a pediatrician with Charlotte Pediatric Clinic and past president of the Charlotte Pediatric Society.

As with any procedure, there can be risks. “The skin is a part of the body’s immune system. Any time this barrier becomes disrupted, bacteria may be introduced into deeper tissues, leading to infection,” Patt says.

WHAT ABOUT BABIES?