In India, it is a norm to pierce your infant s ears when she is merely a few days old. There are a lot of scientific studies that support ear piercing at such an early age. It is believed that ear piercing in infants has a lot of benefits as it helps in brain development, improves digestion, sharpens eyesight, etc. [1]. No matter what the reason, it is a painful procedure for the baby. If the infant gets an infection after piercing, it makes it worse for both for the child and parents. Here are seven things you didn t know about ear piercing.
What to expect after piercing
If everything goes well, there isn t anything to worry about. But, remember your baby s earlobes are delicate and even after piercing it with the purest form of gold, she can experience pain and discomfort. One common type of ear infection seen in babies after piercing is painful, pus-filled earlobes. The pus could either be yellow or green in colour. When this happens, the best thing would be to consult a doctor and treat the infection. However, before you book an appointment, here is one home remedy that you can try turmeric and coconut oil paste.Here are seven expert tips to deal with newly pierced ears.
The remedy
Make a paste of turmeric and coconut oil and apply it over the earlobes and let it dry for a while. If possible, cover the earlobes with a cotton ball after applying the paste. When the paste dries off, wipe your baby s ears with a napkin dipped in water and moisturise the area once again with coconut oil. Here are eight symptoms of ear infection in babies every mother should know.
How it works
Curcumin, a spice found in turmeric is believed to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which helps wounds and cuts heal quickly. Even a low dose of curcumin is believed to work wonders for skin ailments and infections [2]. Moreover, since the spice doesn t have any noted side effects, it is thought to be safe for babies. Coconut oil is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties and provides relief in case of a variety of skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, candidiasis, etc. [3, 4]. Many mothers prefer to massage babies with coconut oil rather than other essential oils given its rich benefits. Hence, the combination of the two proves to be beneficial in treating infections post ear piercing.
Is it necessary to consult a doctor?
If the infection does not subsid even after applying this paste for three to four days and there is bleeding or pus, then consult your paediatrician before it worsens.
References:
[1] Sushruta Samhita. English translation by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna, Calcutta, 1907, Chapter 16, 152-154.
[2] 1: Jia S, Xie P, Hong SJ, Galiano R, Singer A, Clark RA, Mustoe TA. Intravenous curcumin efficacy on healing and scar formation in rabbit ear wounds under nonischemic, ischemic, and ischemia-reperfusion conditions. Wound Repair Regen.2014 Nov-Dec;22(6):730-9. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12231. Epub 2015 Jan 8. PubMed PMID:25230783.
[3] 1: Ogbolu DO, Oni AA, Daini OA, Oloko AP. In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7. PubMed PMID: 17651080.
[4] 1: Verallo-Rowell VM, Dillague KM, Syah-Tjundawan BS. Novel antibacterial and emollient effects of coconut and virgin olive oils in adult atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2008 Nov-Dec;19(6):308-15. PubMed PMID: 19134433.
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