COTTONWOOD PEDIATRICS Ear Piercing Care Tips S T A R T E R E A R R I N G S A V O I D T O U C H I N G Wear starter earrings for 4 to 6 weeks, Do not touch except when cleaning. then wear post earrings for 6 months. Unnecessary handling of piercings can When changing earrings, take note to lead to infection. If touching is required, reactions with different metals as some wash hands with antibacterial soap first. people are sensitive. Gold, sterling silver, and platinum are good hypoallergenic choices for those with skin sensitivities or allergies. B E W A R E O F S N A G G I N G Use care when changing clothes, T I G H T H E A D C O V E R I N G S especially when putting on a fabric Beware of tight coverings such as that is easily snagged. Be careful hats, scarves, and other items that that earrings do not get caught may catch on earrings. Avoid items like when brushing hair or pulling earmuffs or tight headbands or clothes over the head, take extra scarves that put pressure on ears. care when exercising or playing.

H A I R P R O D U C T S Products such as shampoo and conditioner should be avoided on ears since the ingredients in these products could lead to an infection.

Cleaning 3 C L E A N E A R L O B E S 2 X O R 3 X A D A Y C L E A N I N G S O L U T I O N Do not skip a cleaning, especially in the first few Use a sea salt solution as an weeks after piercing. It is important to disinfect alternative to a store-bought the ears often, since dirt and debris from the air, cleaning solution. Use 1/8 teaspoon in addition to the natural substances produced of kosher salt per 8oz water. Do not by the skin, can irritate the piercing and lead to use table salt, which contains infection. Clean ears after swimming, sweating, iodide. or bathing, as shampoo or conditioner get into the piercing. S W A B Use a swab or cotton ball for each R O T A T E E A R R I N G S side. Throw away the applicator Gently turn two or three times to make sure used to clean the first piercing, the antiseptic gets inside the piercing. This and use a new one for the other also prevents the piercing from healing too ear. Push the earring gently tightly around the hole or adhering to the ear. forward and backward, swabbing Make sure the back of the earring is securely between ear and earring. locked in place so it does not fall out. COTTONWOOD PEDIATRICS When to Get Help R E D N E S S A N D S W E L L I N G ! Redness and swelling are normal symptoms for the first couple of days after getting a piercing, but if they do not subside soon after that, there may be an infection or allergy.

If the earring feels tight, just pull the earring back away from the lobe a bit. If the pain does not go away after pulling it back, see a doctor.

Problems caused by allergic reactions can usually be easily resolved by removing the piercing. However, this will cause the piercing to heal closed.

To try to save the piercing, see a doctor, who will be able to treat the ear and advise on whether it is necessary to take out the piercing.

S E E K C A R E S E E K I M M E D I A T E C A R E Pus, discharge, excessive itching, redness, and extreme pain are signs of If the earring snags on something and an infection. Either remove the earring causes the earlobe to tear, stitches may immediately, or if it is too painful, have a be needed. Seek care to have the ear doctor remove it. Bathe the infected ear treated right away. with antibiotic ointment and bandage it until it has healed. + Our Policy

- Cottonwood Pediatrics will not file ear piercing to insurance companies. - Follow-ups for complications will be filed to the health insurance. - Any re-piercings will incur new charges. - The child should have had at least the first Pentacel shot, usually at two months.

COTTONWOOD PEDIATRICS 700 Medical Center Dr, Ste 150 - Newton, KS P: 316-283-7100 Nurse triage after hours P: 316-283-2700 www.cottonwoodpeds.com