Everyday care
How to Care for Your Child's Newly Pierced Ears
Ear piercing aftercare for kids: cleaning, turning the earrings, when to change them, and signs of infection or allergy. Plus ear piercing at Uptown Pediatrics with Dr. Cerasoli, on the Upper East Side.
By the Uptown Pediatrics team · · 4 min read
New earrings are exciting! With good care, newly pierced ears heal well and infections are uncommon. Here's what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends.
Ear piercing at Uptown Pediatrics
Dr. Cerasoli pierces ears right here in our office. Having it done by a doctor means a clean, medical setting and a familiar face for your child. Call 212-427-0540 to schedule.
What age is best?
Ears can be pierced at any age with little risk when it's done carefully and cared for properly. The AAP suggests that, in general, it's best to wait until a child is mature enough to help take care of the piercing. Every family decides differently, and we're happy to talk it through.
Choosing the first earrings
- Round gold studs (or another hypoallergenic metal) are best. Gold lowers the chance of an allergic reaction and irritation.
- Make sure the backs aren't pushed on too tightly, so air can reach the skin.
Aftercare, step by step
- Wash your hands before touching the ears or earrings.
- Clean the front and back of each piercing twice a day for the first few days, using rubbing alcohol or an antibiotic ointment.
- Gently rotate the earrings once a day.
- Leave the starter earrings in for 4 to 6 weeks, day and night, so the holes don't close before they heal.
- Keep hair products, lotions, and perfumes away from new piercings.
Signs of infection
Call us if you notice:
- Redness, swelling, warmth, or tenderness that gets worse instead of better
- Pus or yellow discharge
- Fever
- An earring back that's sinking into the earlobe. Don't try to force it out; we can help.
Itchy or red? It may be an allergy
An itchy, red rash around the piercing, especially with inexpensive jewelry, may be an allergy to nickel. Switching to gold or hypoallergenic earrings usually solves it. Call us if it doesn't.
Safety tips
- Small earrings and backs are choking hazards for babies and toddlers, so check that they're secure.
- Take earrings out (once healed) for contact sports.
Questions about piercing or healing? Call 212-427-0540 or send a portal message. Learn more about Dr. Cerasoli.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Avoiding Infection After Ear Piercing.
Questions parents ask
Does Uptown Pediatrics pierce ears?
Yes. Dr. Cerasoli pierces ears in our Upper East Side office. Call 212-427-0540 to schedule.
How do I clean my child's new ear piercing?
With clean hands, apply rubbing alcohol or antibiotic ointment to the front and back of each piercing twice a day for the first few days, and gently rotate the earrings once a day.
When can my child change their earrings?
Leave the first studs in for 4 to 6 weeks so the piercing can heal.
