FACT CHECK: Is there a ‘right age’ to pierce a baby’s ears?

CLAIM:

Ear piercing is safest for babies between 2 and 6 months of age, preferably after the first vaccination, and doing it earlier or without proper hygiene can increase the risk of infection and complications.

FACT:

There is no single 'right age' to pierce a baby’s ears, but medical experts advise caution. Some medical journals suggest waiting until around 3 to 4 months of age, after the first set of vaccinations, and ensuring the procedure is done in a sterile, clean environment. Studies also show that early ear piercing can lead to infections, scarring, and other complications if proper hygiene and aftercare are not followed.

In a viral Instagram reel posted by Dr Imran Patel, a paediatrician with over 1 crore followers, the doctor addresses a common question many parents have: Is there a “right age” to get a baby’s ears pierced?

In the video, Dr Imran explains that ear piercing can be safely done when a baby is around six months old. “These days, many parents ask me, especially for girls, when to get ear piercings done and when it is safe,” he says. He adds that, in his view, the safest time is after the baby receives the first round of vaccinations. “After the first vaccination, you can get it done. But don’t do it for two months,” he advises.

Dr Imran also stresses the importance of hygiene and professional handling. He recommends getting the procedure done by trained professionals using sterile equipment, whether a needle or a piercing gun is used. He cautions against using thread for piercing, saying it can increase the risk of infection, and instead suggests gold or medical-grade metal earrings.

Further, he advises parents not to touch the pierced area unnecessarily for four to six weeks and to clean it daily using an antiseptic solution to prevent infection.

The reel has gained over 1.4 million views, 44,000 likes and 12,800 shares, triggering widespread discussion among parents about the safety and timing of ear piercing in infants.

Ear piercing in kids: What studies say

Medical research suggests that ear piercing in young children is not risk-free and requires careful consideration, particularly when children are too young to manage proper aftercare.

A 2001 clinical review on body piercing complications highlighted growing concerns around early ear piercing in children. The researchers noted that young children cannot often care for pierced sites properly, increasing the risk of infections and complications. “Body piercing, and particularly ear piercing, is becoming increasingly common in young children who may not be capable of properly caring for the pierced site. This may result in infection at the site and embedding of the earring,” the study warned. 

The authors further cautioned that repeated infections and removal procedures can cause “considerable pain and distress” and added that there is “a proven risk of inducing nickel allergy in these children,” which can persist into adulthood. They also raised concerns about parents underestimating the risk of serious infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV when sterile precautions are not followed.

In another American Academy of Paediatrics–published study, researchers examined the relationship between the age of ear piercing and keloid formation - an abnormal overgrowth of scar tissue. The study surveyed 32 patients who developed keloids after ear piercing. Results showed that 50 per cent developed keloids after their first piercing, while many developed additional keloids after repeat piercings.

The findings revealed a striking age-related difference. “Those who had piercings at ≥11 years of age were more likely to develop keloids (80%) than were those who had piercings at <11 years of age (23.5%),” the authors reported. Based on this, the researchers concluded that prevention is crucial and advised that children with a family history of keloids should avoid piercing altogether. If piercing is unavoidable, they suggested that “piercing during early childhood, rather than later childhood, may be advisable.”

Complications have also been documented in individual clinical case reports. A 2011 study described a seven-year-old girl who developed inflammatory lesions in both earlobes after piercing at a beauty parlour. Doctors found that excessive pressure from tight earring clips caused skin ischemia, ulcers and eventual embedding of the metal parts into the earlobes. The authors concluded that piercing decisions in children “should be carefully considered and rather postponed until self-care is achievable.”

More severe outcomes, although rare, have also been reported. A 2020 case report documented 19-day-old twin newborns who developed necrotising soft tissue infections of the ears after ear piercing performed without proper surgical asepsis at a primary health centre. The authors warned that while such infections are uncommon, delayed recognition can lead to serious complications. They stressed that “adherence to basic aseptic surgical principles is the key to prevention.”

When should we get the baby's ears pierced?

According to John Hopkins Medicine, “This is controversial. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends postponing ear piercings until children are mature enough to take care of the pierced site by themselves. However, some cultures believe in piercing ears as an infant.”

It recommends waiting until a baby is around 3 or 4 months old, “when the child has at least one or two sets of vaccines. At that age, if they get a fever, it is not as concerning as when they are newborns.”

“It’s crucial to make sure the procedure is done safely, with sterile equipment, and that you know how to properly care for the new piercings at home. Some paediatricians’ offices will pierce ears for a small fee or you can go to a reputable jewellery store. If you do go to a store, like at the mall, make sure the person is trained and using sterile equipment. The new earrings should be gold or sterling silver,” it added.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.