please advise on ear piercing

[Gussie]

Hi y'all!

My 10 year old daughter got her ears pierced a couple of years ago. Within 2 months the hole was nearly ripped. I took them out immediately after I saw what it was doing. She took good care and I don't think that was the problem. Her earlobes are so tiny! I'm afraid she may never be able to pierce them. Asking yall's advice since I'm pretty sure most on here have their ears pierced! Do you think we should try it again? She's begging. Lol, guess the great thing for her is that tiny studs will look huge if she can ever wear them!

 

[Hayley87]

Did her earrings get pulled/have some sort of trauma to cause that, or were her earlobes rejecting the piercing? If the former, I think she'd be fine getting them repierced (in a slightly different spot, of course) as long as she's old enough to be more aware of and careful with them.

If her body rejected the piercings...maybe not. Do you remember what the posts were made of with the piercing earrings? Perhaps she has a nickel allergy (pretty common). Maybe piercing with something neutral like platinum could work. It may also help that she's older and her lobes are larger now.

 

[Gussie]

The earrings were 14k yellow gold. I don't think there was trauma. It was both ears so if it was pulling, she pulled both equally, lol! Good idea about platinum or may surgical steel?

 

[sonnyjane]

Where did you get her ears pierced? 20 years ago, I, like many others, just had it done at the mall. Now most experts suggest going to a professional piercing/tattoo parlor to have it done. I would consult a doctor as well. If those are about to rip she may need some degree of "plastic surgery" to repair it! Don't proceed without seeing a doctor!

 

[Gussie]

I thought about the doctor too. I think I will take her before doing anything. I have never been to a tattoo/pierce place. Will have to research that before I take my kid there, lol.

 

[Hayley87]

Another thought (and I'm not sure how relevant this is to earlobes): I had my navel pierced back when I was in college (I know, I know ). It got caught on a laundry basket I was carrying once and tore a bit I took the piercing out and let it heal up.

Years later, I got it repierced--above the bit of scar tissue that had formed. Regardless, my body began to reject the new piercing, pushing it forward into the scar tissue. I removed the piercing permanently once I noticed this happening. (That plus two kids has made for some lovely stretch marks on my belly )

Anyway, I'm not sure if earlobes behave the same way if they have local scar tissue, but it might be something to ask a doctor/certified piercer: are new piercings more likely to migrate the way of previous traumas/rejections?

 

[AGBF]

No ink at all, but my daughter is the piercing queen.

When she was young, one doctor (a dermatologist) refused to pierce my daughter's ears because she has a problem with her connective tissue. She did have her ears successfully pierced (and by another dermatologist) just a few weeks after that. She went on to have her bellybutton pierced (upper and lower) several times; to have her nose pierced on different sides at different times; to have her tongue pierced; to have a "Monroe piercing" (beside the mouth); and to have other (cartilage) ear piercings. (I am happy to say that she now only has one hole in each ear.)

My point was that, although I think it is highly unlikely, it is possible that your daughter could have a connective tissue problem. Why not check it out? If she is OK, I would go to a professional piercer/tattoo artist (my daughter has shown me the light on how good they are) to do the deed. Then keep only the lightest weight ear studs in at first.

AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I thought about the doctor too. I think I will take her before doing anything. I have never been to a tattoo/pierce place. Will have to research that before I take my kid there, lol.

They're the best. I hate to go into them, but if you want a good piercing, that is where you will get it. I am serious. You have to give credit where credit is due. Their piercings are not crooked. My dermatologist did mine with an ear punch and they are way out of alignment!

Deb

 

[Gussie]

This is really helpful. Thanks! Now that I remember, it was after she removed the original earrings and put in cheap ones that they started ripping. I am definitely thinking allergy now. I can't believe I didn't think of that.

I plan to take her to my dermatologist and let her see it. Then I'll try to find a piercing shop.

Thanks again!

 

[lyra]

Absolutely check with a doctor first, just in case. For locating a professional piercer, try this link: https://www.memberleap.com/members/directory/search_bootstrap.php?org_id=AOPP. You should be able to find a suitable studio from there. Usually piercings are now done with titanium or niobium, which are implant grade, hypo-allergenic metals. You'd want a place that carries Anatometal and/or Neometal threadless jewelry. It's very trouble-free and won't snag or get caught on anything.

 

[AGBF]

I think you have a plan, ceg! Doctor first to check out the current situation. If your daughter's ears can withstand another piercing, you take her to a professional piercer using lyra's link! And you keep an eye on the weight and material of any replacement earrings she uses. I hope all goes well and your daughter is happy! My daughter was really, really crazy to have her ears pierced, too, when she was young. I waited until I was 48.

Deb

 

[chemgirl]

Another one to endorse going to a tattoo/piercing place. The guns at the mall are terrible. The people usually have very little training and it is impossible to clean that thing well enough for my liking.

Not sure about where you live, but here there are a few studios that are owned and operated by women. A different vibe than what you would expect.

 

[PintoBean]

Yup guns tear. Professional piercer will use a hollowing needle to make a perfect puncture which will heal better.

 

[alene]

Definitely a professional piercer and no guns! Just FYI, when I had my daughter's done last year (at age , was told absolutely no gold for the first year due to increased allergy risks immediately following the piercing. The place I went to recommended medical grade plastic or titanium. They used these: https://www.blomdahlusa.com/earrings/?gclid=CP_9s6CskdYCFZCCswodziQGlA

 

[monarch64]

Alene, that's so interesting about the medical grade plastic recommendation! I used a plastic navel barbell when I was pregnant and it was really strong yet flexible; kept my piercing intact. (I don't know if a piercing can be called "intact," but you kwim.) Makes total sense that it would be hypoallergenic and work well as a temporary jewelry medium.

I always watch these threads with interest--my daughter is 5 and some of her classmates already have pierced ears. I have asked her several times if she wants to get hers pierced, and she looks at me and says, "MOM. Not til I'm older!" I was BEGGING my mother from first grade on until she finally caved and let me get mine pierced and I had nothing but problems with them. Now of course I have a child who couldn't care less about piercing hers. Figures. She will be a straight laced kid, totally opposite of how I was growing up. Her form of rebellion will be pushing my buttons by being conservative. Yay.

 

[Gussie]

Alene, that's so interesting about the medical grade plastic recommendation! I used a plastic navel barbell when I was pregnant and it was really strong yet flexible; kept my piercing intact. (I don't know if a piercing can be called "intact," but you kwim.) Makes total sense that it would be hypoallergenic and work well as a temporary jewelry medium.

I always watch these threads with interest--my daughter is 5 and some of her classmates already have pierced ears. I have asked her several times if she wants to get hers pierced, and she looks at me and says, "MOM. Not til I'm older!" I was BEGGING my mother from first grade on until she finally caved and let me get mine pierced and I had nothing but problems with them. Now of course I have a child who couldn't care less about piercing hers. Figures. She will be a straight laced kid, totally opposite of how I was growing up. Her form of rebellion will be pushing my buttons by being conservative. Yay.

Lol, I asked my younger daughter (8 years old) if she wanted her ears pierced and she said, "Mom, are you serious? Holes in my body is not something I would choose."

 

[alene]

I always watch these threads with interest--my daughter is 5 and some of her classmates already have pierced ears. I have asked her several times if she wants to get hers pierced, and she looks at me and says, "MOM. Not til I'm older!" I was BEGGING my mother from first grade on until she finally caved and let me get mine pierced and I had nothing but problems with them. Now of course I have a child who couldn't care less about piercing hers. Figures. She will be a straight laced kid, totally opposite of how I was growing up. Her form of rebellion will be pushing my buttons by being conservative. Yay.

My cousin's daughter rebelled by taking out her earrings and letting the piercings close when she was about 13 or so and giving her parents crap for violating her body when she was a baby (her ears were pierced when she was definitely too young to ask) so I had my daughter beg from years to make sure she really wanted it.

 

[doberman]

I never believed in piercing a baby's ears, or for that matter doing anything to a child's body without their express consent (barring life saving procedures).

@ceg
I'd take your daughter to a plastic surgeon if she needs repair work done. She might be better off without the piercing until she's reached full growth, but if you do get it done again I'd limit her to the lightest studs possible.

I wasn't allowed to get pierced ears until I was 16 and even that was a struggle since neither my mother nor my grandmothers had pierced ears. Both were under the impression that nice girls didn't do such things. :roll Naturally my mother had her ears pierced after I got mine done. I allowed my daughter (at her request) get hers done at 14, small studs only.

 

[AGBF]

I wasn't allowed to get pierced ears until I was 16 and even that was a struggle since neither my mother nor my grandmothers had pierced ears. Both were under the impression that nice girls didn't do such things. :roll Naturally my mother had her ears pierced after I got mine done.

Perhaps we're from the same family?

Actually there's a slight variation! Neither my mother nor my grandmother had her ears pierced, and my mother definitely taught me that nice girls didn't have their ears pierced (when I was very little). But my mother changed with the times. By the time I was in my teens (the 1960's) I was doing pretty much whatever I wanted. My first cousin whose mother is my mother's sister (and does not have pierced ears) and who had the same grandmother had her ears pierced in three places before she got to be in her late teens! I just didn't want pierced ears by the time I was a teenager. My mother's voice had taken hold!

My daughter did want pierced ears and when she was about 10 I let her have them, but I insisted that she have done by an MD. Which was stupid. But what the heck did I know about piercing? With my pristine and prudish background? Are you kidding me? Now, as I have said, my daughter is The Piercing Queen and I fully versed in the art of piercing. After she had her ears pierced I did mine, too. At 48. Now that I do the math, I realize I went first. She was born when I was 41! Her ears were not pierced until she was at least 10.

Deb/AGBF

 

[Gussie]

My family was a little weird about it too. It definitely raised an eyebrow when girls had it done too young. My grandmother didn't have hers pierced until she was in her 50s! My mom did at a younger age because she pierced them herself with a needle, ice and a potato. (Don't ask - I have no idea what the potato was for!) My mom made me wait until I was 16. Lol, guess she wanted me to stay away from potatoes. Anyway when I let my daughter get hers done at 10, my mom's eyebrows raised a mile.

 

[lyra]

My family was a little weird about it too. It definitely raised an eyebrow when girls had it done too young. My grandmother didn't have hers pierced until she was in her 50s! My mom did at a younger age because she pierced them herself with a needle, ice and a potato. (Don't ask - I have no idea what the potato was for!) My mom made me wait until I was 16. Lol, guess she wanted me to stay away from potatoes. Anyway when I let my daughter get hers done at 10, my mom's eyebrows raised a mile.

Haha! I must be a similar vintage. That's how my ears were pierced. I can't remember what the potato was for. Doesn't sound very hygienic. Luckily piercing has come a long way!

I also remember my family having the viewpoint that piercing was not done. I was finally allowed when I was 14. My mom and her friend did the procedure.

 

[LLJsmom]

Alene, that's so interesting about the medical grade plastic recommendation! I used a plastic navel barbell when I was pregnant and it was really strong yet flexible; kept my piercing intact. (I don't know if a piercing can be called "intact," but you kwim.) Makes total sense that it would be hypoallergenic and work well as a temporary jewelry medium.

I always watch these threads with interest--my daughter is 5 and some of her classmates already have pierced ears. I have asked her several times if she wants to get hers pierced, and she looks at me and says, "MOM. Not til I'm older!" I was BEGGING my mother from first grade on until she finally caved and let me get mine pierced and I had nothing but problems with them. Now of course I have a child who couldn't care less about piercing hers. Figures. She will be a straight laced kid, totally opposite of how I was growing up. Her form of rebellion will be pushing my buttons by being conservative. Yay.

@monarch64 ... Your daughter and my daughter...

I had two infections that closed in my teens when I pierced my ears, and didn't try again until three years ago, and ONLY because I was obsessed with the idea of wearing diamond studs. (I wish I knew about the rule about gold. Mine infected even with 24K.) Now I am trying to convince my daughter who is 12, telling her she will heal faster when she is young. I said, "Who is going to wear my studs?" She looks at me and says, "Can't I make it into a ring?" oMg... She's already resetting my $hit!! And she says to me, "Why would I want a hole that God didn't put there?" Me: ummmm....

 

[AGBF]

I had to look up what the potato was for! "Enquiring" minds want to know. I am an intellectual.

See the directions below.



4. Place potato behind your earlobe
Take the potato and, after it has been washed, place it behind your earlobe. This is a safe way to protect your neck and help with the force from the piercing. If you have someone available to help you, they can pierce while you hold the potato or Nerf ball. You want something solid but easy to hold.

Deb

 

[monarch64]

LLJsmom! Omg, I had a HORRIBLE time with infection after I had my ears pierced--which I had to beg my mom to let me do for like a year! I've posted this before, but I was tested for Hodgkin's disease because my earlobes never showed signs of infection but all of the lymph nodes in my head and neck swelled to the point that you could SEE them under my skin. It was bizarre. No cancer...just nickel allergy. And here I am trying to get my daughter to pierce her ears. I feel pretty bad about that after participating in this thread.

My mom never had her ears pierced; she's like others in this thread who were told "nice girls" didn't do such things. She also has a terrible metal allergy--anything less than 18k turns her green and makes her itch. I can at least do 14k.

I told my mother when I was pregnant with my daughter that i would have a non-rebellious child, because I have piercings and tattoos, so my kiddo would seem those things uncool and never want to install such things on her body. I'm pretty sure I was right. LOL

 

[PintoBean]

LLJsmom! Omg, I had a HORRIBLE time with infection after I had my ears pierced--which I had to beg my mom to let me do for like a year! I've posted this before, but I was tested for Hodgkin's disease because my earlobes never showed signs of infection but all of the lymph nodes in my head and neck swelled to the point that you could SEE them under my skin. It was bizarre. No cancer...just nickel allergy. And here I am trying to get my daughter to pierce her ears. I feel pretty bad about that after participating in this thread.

My mom never had her ears pierced; she's like others in this thread who were told "nice girls" didn't do such things. She also has a terrible metal allergy--anything less than 18k turns her green and makes her itch. I can at least do 14k.

I told my mother when I was pregnant with my daughter that i would have a non-rebellious child, because I have piercings and tattoos, so my kiddo would seem those things uncool and never want to install such things on her body. I'm pretty sure I was right. LOL

Piercings? I thought it was a power on and off button!