Ear Piercing

Ear piercing is a very common practice among cultures throughout the world; however, significant disparities exist about when to pierce ears and how often families involve their pediatricians in making this decision. When families do choose to involve their provider, there are some important elements to discuss with them about the timing and possible complications of ear piercing.

The timing of ear piercing can often be influenced by a family’s culture or traditions. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP’s) most recent writing on this topic dates back to 2004 and notes, “…as a general guideline, postpone the piercing until your child is mature enough to take care of the pierced site herself.” Like many parenting and medical decisions, the question of timing is one of risk versus benefit. The AAP further advises, “…if the piercing is performed carefully and cared for conscientiously, there is little risk, no matter what the age of the child.” When deciding to go ahead with ear piercing, families should be aware of its known complications, which include unwanted cosmetic effects, foreign body aspiration, allergy sensitization, and infection. One study found that up to 35% of people with pierced ears experienced 1 or …