Do not publish, disseminate, adapt or redistribute this material. ©2021 FOX News Network Co., Ltd. all rights reserved. Quotes are displayed in real time or delayed for at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Supported and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Notices. Mutual funds and ETF data are provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Cute little girl piercing her ears with special equipment in beauty center by medical staff

Actress Hilary Duff spoke on Instagram this week to remind followers that she is ready to deal with any backlash related to her 7-month-old baby’s ear piercing.

"Yes! I pierced her today," Duff said in a post on Instagram Stories on Sunday. "Can't wait to hope that the Internet will call me child abuse again..."

Duff shared a photo of her first child wearing earrings in 2019, when he was only 8 months old.

Followers either defended the new mother or criticized Duff based on the age of Duff's child and the presumed risks behind the operation.

"AAP [American Academy of Pediatrics]-Their general rule of thumb is that there is no set age. They say it's best to do it when the child can take care of the perforation on their own," Dr. Anastasia Gentles, a pediatrician under Pediatrix Medical Group in Houston, Texas NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care told Fox News.

"If the parents are taking care of it for the baby, then they can do it," the gentleman added. "This is a cultural preference. Some cultures can do it in the womb, and some cultures have to wait until later."

Nevertheless, Gentles said that piercing ears does have some risks, and parents can follow some guidelines.

Here are security tips and more information from Gentles.

Gentles said that in terms of metals, gold and pure silver are the best because nickel may cause allergic reactions. 

Also avoid hoops. The baby may pull them, causing the earlobe to tear. 

Gentles mentioned that screw-in earrings may be the safest way, because children are unlikely to remove the earrings and swallow small parts. In addition, screw backs with round threads are unlikely to be embedded in the earlobe, which may lead to removal procedures. 

Gentles says that even if your pediatrician does not perform perforation, they may recommend a reputable doctor who will provide the procedure using aseptic technique. 

"Most pediatricians also recommend waiting until the tetanus period is over," Gentles said. "Three shots in six months."

The 2021 baby name rankings reveal familiar trends

Gentles says that given the nerve endings in the ears, your child may experience short-term pain, although numbing cream is an option.

If there is a family history, keloids or raised scars may form. It is harmless, although it is cosmetic, and usually develops after 11 years of age. If you plan to do it (piercing your child's ears), if you have keloid scars in your home, please do it before the age of 11," Gentles said.  

Click here to sign up for our newsletter

A local infection may look like redness, swelling, and discharge of pus from the wound. Fever is another sign, but it is more serious. In any case, please take your child to see their pediatrician.

"With the correct procedure advice and following the correct process, you will be fine," Gentles said. 

Nicole Pelletiere is the senior lifestyle editor of Fox News.

Interesting stories about food, relationships, outdoor activities, etc.

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter!

Do not publish, disseminate, adapt or redistribute this material. ©2021 FOX News Network Co., Ltd. all rights reserved. Quotes are displayed in real time or delayed for at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Supported and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Notices. Mutual funds and ETF data are provided by Refinitiv Lipper.