- Pediatric Answers
- Posts
- Piercings And Tattoos For Minors? + Still Seeing Lots Of Rhinovirus + Amazon Playpen Recall
Piercings And Tattoos For Minors? + Still Seeing Lots Of Rhinovirus + Amazon Playpen Recall
Some interesting info about the legality of piercings and tattoos for minors in your state.
In partnership with
Table of Contents
Can My Child Get Piercings or Tattoos?
The AAP recently published an interesting article about body piercing injuries (BPIs), infection rates, and tattooing. It concluded that the ear was the “most common site of body piercing injury,” which isn’t all that surprising. What was surprising was that hospitalization was “more likely with pubic [piercing] injury.”
The article included data based on a study that looked at BPI rates among those age 24 and under.
In my mind, there’s a HUGE difference between a 22 year-old who decides to get a piercing and a 12 year-old who wants one. And it got me thinking about the different laws in different states where parental consent is required, and states where it’s against the law to give a minor, say, a tattoo.
Check out this interesting table below from the AAP. Utah, where I live, requires parental consent for minors for both tattoos and body piercings. I see 18 states where tattoos for minors are completely prohibited. And if you live in Idaho, Mississippi, or South Carolina, piercings for any minor under age 14 are against the law—parental consent for 14-18 year-olds.
Now, I’m not advocating for or against tattoos and body piercings. (I personally have an opinion when it comes to my kids, but that’s my personal opinion.) I would, however, suggest that it’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician prior to your child getting piercings or tattoos. First and foremost, the cleanliness and safety of the establishment where the procedure will take place.
I’ve seen enough piercing problems and infections; you may want some solid health advice first.
The most common question I get is if it’s ok to pierce an infant’s ears. My medical advice is that I don’t like piercings for kids younger than 6 months. Here’s why: Under 6 months, infants don’t have very good head control. If the back of the earing is digging into the skin behind it, the infant can’t move out of the uncomfortable position very well. I’ve seen many miserable sores develop behind the ear and head/neck as a result. Also, if you wait until 6 months, the child has had three tetanus shots (part of the DTaP shot), so there is much better coverage.
P.S. If this information is helpful, PLEASE forward this to a friend. The more, the merrier 💕.
Still Seeing A Lot of Rhinovirus
I talked about Rhinovirus last week, and I’m still seeing a bunch of it at work. In case you missed it, here’s what it looks like and how to treat it:
Recalls & Alerts: Amazon Playpens
The #1 App That Helps You Fall Asleep In Minutes
BetterSleep, the 5 star app that focuses on helping users sleep better and feel better daily.
Build and layer a unique personalized mix from over 300 unique sounds such as: green noise, ocean waves, heavy rain, arctic storms or even background bustle in a city cafe! Use sound science to send yourself to sleep and improve your restlessness.
By building your perfect dreamy soundscape and watch your sleep and your mornings improve in just 7 days!
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice or medical treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the health and welfare of your child. We do not endorse any specific products or brands mentioned in this article. Readers are encouraged to perform their own research and consult with appropriate professionals before making any decisions based on the information provided herein.