The American Academy of Pediatrics does not set a minimum age for ear piercing, but most pediatricians recommend waiting until a child is old enough to care for the piercing themselves — typically around age 8–10. If you choose to pierce a younger child’s ears, use a reputable professional piercer, choose a simple flat-back stud (never a hoop for a new piercing), use implant-grade titanium or surgical steel, and clean the site twice daily with sterile saline solution for 6–8 weeks.
You know the day is coming when your tween is asking to have her ears pierced. Do it the safe way with these tips from Dr. Jessica Long.
Getting your ears pierced can be a momentous occasion. For some kids, it happens when they are babies and they have no memory of it. For others, it’s a birthday promise they’ve been counting down towards for years. My three year old is already begging for earrings but has to wait until the arbitrary age of seven (I’m such a mean mom). Regardless of when the big moment happens, you want to make sure it’s done right.
Be sure to choose a clean and reputable place. Your pediatrician might even offer it as we do at Spring Valley Pediatrics. You’ll want to make sure the person poking a hole in your child’s ears is well trained, wears new disposable gloves, and uses equipment that is sterilized to decrease the chance of infection.
Be sure to choose the right earrings. Since nickel is a main culprit of allergic reactions, stick to hypoallergenic materials like sterling silver or 14-, 18- or 24-karat gold. At Spring Valley Pediatrics, our patients choose from a variety of earrings all made of 14-carat gold or surgical stainless steel.
Be sure to be up to date with vaccines. Most pediatricians recommend your little one have received her third tetanus shot, typically given at the six-month-old well-visit, before any ear piercing. We want to make sure this elective procedure carries as little risk to your child as possible.
Be sure to follow proper care of your piercing. For the first six weeks after your ears are pierced, it is important to wash the ear lobe (while keeping the earring in) twice a day with soap and water. We provide our patients with another cleaning solution to use in addition to soap and water twice a day. Turn the earrings, like winding a watch, twice a day as well. After 6 weeks of keeping the original earrings in, you can replace them for other light stud earrings but avoid any heavy or dangling earrings for 4-6 months. Also don’t leave your earrings out for more than 24 hours until your piercing is at least six months old – you don’t want those holes closing up!
Be sure to call your doctor if your new ear piercing is red, painful, or has discharge. No matter how careful you are, infections can happen so be sure to be seen by your physician if things don’t seem right.
Happy piercing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Piercing Safety
What age is safe to pierce a child’s ears?
The AAP does not specify a minimum age — this is a personal family decision. The main medical consideration is infection risk. Many pediatricians recommend waiting until at least 6 months, and ideally until the child can communicate if something bothers them. Older children who can participate in aftercare are the easiest cases.
Where should I go to get my child’s ears pierced?
A professional piercer at a reputable studio is preferred over mall kiosks. Professional piercers use sterile single-use needles rather than piercing guns, which are more difficult to sterilize completely. Look for a studio that follows strict hygiene protocols and uses implant-grade metals.
What type of earring is safest for a first piercing?
Always start with a simple flat-back stud — never a hoop or dangling earring for a new piercing. The metal should be implant-grade titanium (the gold standard), implant-grade surgical steel, or solid 14-karat or higher gold. Avoid nickel-containing metals, which are the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
How do I care for my child’s new ear piercing?
Clean the piercing twice daily with sterile saline wound spray. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic ointments — these can irritate the piercing and slow healing. Leave the earrings in place continuously for 6–8 weeks. Turn the earrings gently once daily during cleaning to prevent sticking.
What are the signs of an infected ear piercing?
Normal healing: mild redness, minor swelling, and small amounts of clear or pale yellow fluid for the first few weeks. Signs of infection: increasing redness or warmth spreading beyond the site, significant swelling, thick yellow or green pus, red streaking, or fever. Call Spring Valley Pediatrics if you see these signs.
Can my child swim with a new ear piercing?
Avoid swimming — particularly in pools, lakes, and ocean water — for at least 6–8 weeks after piercing. If swimming is unavoidable, apply a waterproof bandage and rinse thoroughly with clean water and saline afterward.
How long does a child’s ear piercing take to heal?
Earlobe piercings typically take 6–8 weeks to heal on the surface, but the tissue continues to mature for up to 6 months. Do not change earrings before 6–8 weeks, even if the piercing looks healed from the outside.
