Blog

May 5, 2015

Introducing Ear Piercing at Twin City Peds Clemmons

 We are excited to announce that we will begin offering ear piercing services this summer at Twin City Pediatrics (in our Clemmons office only).

The doctors here at TCP have researched the best available medical ear piercing product and our clinic has decided to use Blomdahl Medical Ear Piercing (which is only available only in a physician's office). 

The Blomdahl Medical Ear Piercing system is a sterile, single cartridge piercing system that uses medical grade plastic or titanium earrings for piercings. This system reduces the risk for skin infections and allergies. Also, patients have access to a doctor, who is trained in wound care management and sterile technique. We can answer any health questions and concerns prior the ear piercing. We strive for each child to have a positive experience with piercing by offering topical numbing cream to reduce pain and aftercare solution and instructions to reduce the risk for infection.

Please call our office with any questions about ear piercing or to schedule your child's piercing appointment! 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ABOUT MEDICAL EAR PIERCING:

What piercings are available? We will only pierce ear lobes (no other body parts) with a maximum of two holes in each lobe.  If two holes are desired in one lobe, piercing each hole must be done at separate visits to allow for adequate healing of each piercing.

How old does a child need to be for ear piercing?
Your child must be at least 4 months old and have received the 4 month immunizations (at least 2 doses of the tetanus vaccine) before they are eligible for ear piercing at our office. 
Toddlers and preschoolers are very challenging because they often will not sit still.  For this reason, after 12 months of age, we require a child to be school age and volutnarily cooperate with a procedure (we will not restrain a child to perform a solely cosmetic procedure).  The staff reserves the right to cancel the procedure if they feel, for any reason, that the situation may be unsafe due to a child's unwillingness to cooperate.

If your child is school aged, please ensure that your child is not participating in soccer, karate or another sport where she has to remove piercing studs for at least 2 months or holes will close.  Also, 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.

What are the risks of having a child's ears pierced?

Ear piercing is a minor surgical procedure with similar risks to stitches or abscess drainage. Despite precautions, there is a small chance of infection, scarring, or allergic reactions. Some people are prone to scarring and there is a small risk that person could develop a keloid (an overgrown scar) formation at the piercing site. We do ask you sign an informed consent waiver at the time of the procedure to verify that you have been notified of these risks.

How do we ensure the holes are symmetric?

Nobody has perfectly symmetrical earlobes, so first we take accurate measurements and look to make sure the holes are visually symmetric.  We will mark the lobes with a marker before piercing and we will ask for parents to make sure they like the position of the dots before we go ahead and pierce.  We pierce both sides at one time.

How long should you wait before changing earrings?

Piercings take 6 months to fully heal but the majority of the healing occurs within the first 6 weeks.  After the initial 6 weeks, your child should switch from the thicker piercing earrings to a new thinner earring.  Between 6 weeks and 6 months, your child should not go longer than 24 hours wtihout an earring in place to prevent the piercing hole from closing.

What signs should you watch for after piercing that something may be wrong?

In the first 24 hours after your child's ears are pierced call us if the ear becomes red, swollen, or you see pus at the site of piercing.  After the first 24 hours, if the earlobe becomes red or tender, loosen the back of the earing slightly, clean the earlobe three times per day and call us if the redness and pain has not improved within 24 hours.

Sometimes, if there is a mild infection or irritation we can save the earring, by cleaning and using a strong antibiotic ointment at the site.  Sometimes an infection is worse and the earring needs to be removed, oral antibiotics are prescribed and after a period of time (6 to 12 months) the ear can be re-pierced.

How much will it cost?

Ear piercing costs $70.  This procedure will not be billed to insurance. You must pay in full (cash or credit card) prior to the procedure.  Our prices include the earring(s), topical anesthetic (optional), the piercing procedure, and after care instructions.

How do you schedule an ear piercing appointment?

Ear piercing will NOT be done at the time of a regular checkup or sick visit.  These appointments will be scheduled in our Clemmons office only by appointment.  If desired, you may arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time and we will apply topical anesthetic (numbing gel) to your child's ear before the piercing.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call our office (336)718-3960.  You can also visit http://www.blomdahlusa.com for more information about the medical ear piercing product.