Medical Ear Piercing a Family Physician
If you’re looking for a safe place to get your child's ears pierced, Our Family Doc is here for you! Our office uses medical-grade sterile plastic earrings to avoid allergic reactions and risk of infection.
Ear piercing takes about 5 minutes to complete. The cost is $99 and includes the procedure, the earrings, and the after-care cleaning wipes so you have everything you need. If your child is a practice member and you'd like to do it during their check-up, just ask!
What age is best?
We ask patients to wait until after the 2-month checkup, when they’ve had their first round of vaccines. This gives the earlobe time to grow and develop.
What kind of studs do you use?
I use only medical-grade plastic. Your child can pick either pink or diamond—both sparkle plenty. The plastic decreases risk of irritation, infection, and allergy. I use a piercing gun, which makes it very easy to pierce quickly and with as little discomfort as possible. Everything is completely sterile and nothing that touches the ear is ever reused.
How do you decide where on the earlobe to pierce?
We always mark the location so parent and child can confirm it’s correct. No one has perfectly symmetrical earlobes so minor variation in earlobe shape and size are expected and not a problem.
How long should we wait before changing out the earrings?
It's ideal to leave in piercing studs for six weeks because piercing studs are a bit thicker, and over time the holes contract. If an earring happens to fall out, replace it with any earring available to keep the hole open.
What's the best way to care for earlobes after piercing?
You’ll have everything you need when you walk out of the office. We will provide instructions and swabs for cleansing. Always wash hands before touching earlobes, as initially the hole is essentially an open wound. You will have sterile wipes to use on the piercings for the first couple weeks after placement, and that is all you need!
What are the risks?
Infection is a risk with any procedure. I make sure everything is sterile and as long as you cleanse appropriately, this shouldn’t be an issue.
If there is any soreness, redness, or pus at the site of piercing, see your doctor within 24 hours.
In rare cases (especially when pierced elsewhere), the infection is worse. The earring needs to be removed, and oral antibiotics are prescribed. After 6 to 12 months, the ear can be re-pierced.
In other rare cases, especially with tiny earrings, the stud or earring can be “swallowed up" by the earlobe and result in pain/discomfort/infection. It’s easy for me to fix this (thank goodness for lidocaine!) if it does happen. The studs I use have large front and back pieces so it would be very difficult for these studs to get stuck in the lobe.
What is the cost?
Ear piercing fee is $99 and includes the ear piercing procedure, pretty earring studs, and all the after-care supplies - you won't need anything else!
Can my child get their ears pierced if they aren't a patient at Our Family Doc?
Absolutely! We provide this as a service to our members and to the community.
What else should I know about getting my child's ears pierced?
It’s best to avoid hanging or heavy earrings for at least 6 months after a new piercing, as it can pull on the hole and create a larger or elongated hole.
If you are considering piercing your child’s ears, please find a professional, help your child keep the area clean, and see your pediatrician right away if there is any sign of infection or irritation.