A video on TikTok caught the attention of many people by showing the piercing of a baby’s ear that, in addition to being scared, cries afterwards. It is possible to see some difficulty of the person when handling the “gun” (one of the devices used for the procedure), which slips from the professional’s hand when it is still attached to the child’s ear.
See the video:
According to pediatrician Paulo Telles, member of the SBP (Brazilian Society of Pediatrics), children’s ears can be pierced right after birth, as long as the procedure does not pose risks to the baby, is done by a qualified professional and follows protocols of hygiene.
He says that the SBP recommends that the hole be made 15 days after birth, so that the doctor in charge has time to evaluate and authorize the perforation, and to confirm that there are no problems, such as jaundice, that may interfere or cause discomfort. the child.
Obstetrician nurse Cinthia Calsinski, PhD in nursing from Unifesp (Federal University of the State of São Paulo), advises that the procedure be performed in children weighing more than 3 kg and who have already gone through the initial breastfeeding adjustments.
Professionals claim that perforation can be performed both by nurses or doctors, as well as by acupuncture methods.
The use of anesthetic ointments is indicated to reduce the momentary discomfort of materials with a lower risk of causing allergic reactions, such as solid gold, surgical steel or stainless steel.
The pediatrician adds that making the hole while breastfeeding the child can also generate an analgesic effect and calm the baby.
Telles alleges that it is not recommended to use the guns to make the hole because, in addition to the noise, which can be frightening, the method can generate asymmetrical holes. Not all of this equipment is properly sterilized and cleaned, which facilitates infectious processes.
Cinthia recalls that, in order to have a good and adequate healing, it is important that the parents have clean hands when handling the child’s earlobe and that they clean the place with 70% alcohol, with the help of a cotton or cotton swab and, once a day, rotate the earring so that it does not stick to the skin.
The pediatrician also points out that parents should be careful when changing the baby’s clothes so that they do not stick to the earring and generate wounds.
According to the doctor, healing takes around 35 to 40 days — when it is necessary to check for possible infections.
Among the signs that can be observed in these cases are redness and local heat or secretions. He advises that, at the appearance of these signs, parents seek the doctor to see the degree of inflammation.
“It is important to remember that newborn babies still have the lowest immunity and, despite being a simple procedure, contamination can occur”, completes Telles.
Experts assure that, in these cases, the ideal is to clean the place well with neutral soap, remove the earring, and seek pediatric help. In some cases, it is necessary to wait for the wound to heal before performing a new procedure.
After the evaluation, if a bad healing or allergic reaction is identified, the treatment is done with anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory ointments. If it is infectious, if topical treatment is not possible, it may be necessary to use oral or even intravenous antibiotics.
Finally, they remember that there is no right age for perforation, and it can be performed when the family feels comfortable.
“Drilling with earrings is something cultural in Latin America, but in Europe and the United States, for example, this custom is not present at birth”, concludes Telles.