How safe is ear piercing?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says there's no health risk at any age, as long the setting and procedure are safe and sterile. But they also suggest that you wait until your child is old enough to handle the care involved afterward. If you choose to have your child's ears pierced, start small.

What is the safest way to get your ears pierced?

Why you should not pierce your ears?

The skin around the piercing can tear or rip, especially if the earring catches on a piece of clothing. Left untreated or poorly treated, these infections can lead to serious complications, such as abscesses and inflammation of the connective tissue in your ear, or even the death of tissue in your ear.

Can ear piercing cause problems?

Minor infections, allergic contact dermatitis, keloid formation, and traumatic tearing may occur after piercing of the earlobe. “High” ear piercing through the ear cartilage is associated with more serious infections and disfigurement.

Can you get diseases from earrings?

This is the most common way people get hepatitis C in the U.S. Getting a needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person. Sharing items that may have come in contact with another person's blood, such as razors, nail clippers, pierced earrings, toothbrushes.

The Hole Truth about Ear Piercing - First With Kids

How long does ear piercing take to heal?

Typically, ear lobe piercings take around 4-6 months, while upper or inner ear piercings take between 6-12+ months to fully heal. You'll know your ear is healed once any discharge, swelling, redness, flaking, or soreness stops.

Are gun or needle piercings better?

Having your piercing artist using a piercing needle is classed as safer for your skin as the piercing gun is classed as blunt force trauma. This can damage the soft tissues in your earlobes. Overall, the piercing needle is usually the better option for most people.

Is gunshot ear piercing painful?

You may feel a pinch and some throbbing after, but it shouldn't last long. The pain from either piercing method is probably equivalent. The ear has nerves all through it. But the fatty tissue in the earlobe has less than other areas, so it may feel less painful.

Is needle piercing safe?

Nearly Pain-Free Piercing

The piercing process itself is also much safer, and less painful than having a blunt stud forced through your skin. A piercing needle is actually hollow and extremely sharp. It slices through the skin, safely pushing the tissue aside to make room for the jewelry to be inserted.

Which ear piercing method is best?

Ear lobe piercings can also be done with a needle if you prefer this method of body piercing. The Sterilear System method of lobe piercing is the best form of ear piercing for children and babies, as it is quick, effective and can be performed with double operators.

What should I know before getting my ears pierced?

Which is less painful gun or needle piercing?

Interestingly, needle piercings have been deemed less messy and less painful than piercing guns. This is usually the case because needles are hollow and have a sharp point to create a clean hole. It also removes some of the skin and tissue at the piercing site, making it easier for your wound to drain out and heal.

Do piercing guns cause infection?

There is thus a possibility of transmitting bloodborne disease-causing microorganisms through such ear piercing, as many medical studies report. As is now well known, the Hepatitis virus can live for extended periods of time on inanimate surfaces, and could be harbored within a piercing gun for several weeks or more.

Why do piercers tell you to breathe?

There is actually scientific reasoning behind this practice, because breathing more slowly and deeply from your stomach signals your nervous system to calm down.

What should not eat after ear piercing?

Don't eat spicy, salty or acidy foods or liquids while you are healing. Avoid hot drinks such as hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Eat cold foods and drinks as they lessen swelling.

Can I take a bath after ear piercing?

While it may be tempting to relax in the bath for a long time, limit your piercing's exposure to soap and chemicals from shampoos or conditioners by only bathing as long as you need to. Once you get out of the bath, lightly pat your piercing dry and immediately rinse the area out with sea salt water.

What should I avoid after ear piercing?

Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Don't fiddle with your piercings. Don't touch a new piercing or twist the jewelry unless you're cleaning it. Keep clothing away from the piercing, too.

Should I pierce my ears with a needle?

Hands down, in all circumstances using a needle to perform an ear piercing is much safer. My recommendation: go to a professional piercer who uses a needle. It hurts less, gives better results and is better for your health!

When can I change earring after piercing?

For ear piercings, it is recommended to wait 6-8 weeks before attempting to change your earring. This is recommended as 6-8 weeks is the length of time that it takes for a piercing to heal.

Do piercing guns cause keloids?

Lobular keloid has been reported to occur as a secondary inflammatory response in patients who have undergone ear piercing at non-medical institutions such as jewelry shop, at home, or school with a piercing gun, needle, and earrings.

How do you sleep with pierced ears?

Tips. If you have a new ear piercing, a thinner travel pillow works great to keep pressure off while you're sleeping. If you don't have a travel pillow you can roll a clean cotton T-shirt or sheet up and place it around the ear so that when you lay on your side, there's no direct pressure on your ear.

Which piercings heal the fastest?

Although it may sound like a scarier piercing to get, tongue piercings actually have some of the fastest healing times. Healthline gives an estimate of about six to eight weeks for the piercing to heal completely, but depending on your body, tongues can heal as quickly as four weeks with proper care.

Can I exercise after ear piercing?

For ear and facial piercings, you can exercise immediately, though Brooks advises you to do so with care, and avoid contact sports. Nipple and navel piercings often require extra care, as even gentle workouts like pilates, yoga, and rock climbing can irritate the new piercings.

Why you shouldn't get pierced at Claire's?

Claire's happens to use a piercing gun for piercing ears, which according to experts is way less safe than using a needle. Not only can piercing guns hurt far worse than a needle, but they cannot be properly sterilized and carry a high risk of infection.

Can an ear piercing infection make you sick?

Check if you have an infected piercing

there's blood or pus coming out of it – pus can be white, green or yellow. you feel hot or shivery or generally unwell.