There is nothing more fun in dressing up a child. Seeing them wear adorable clothes looking so delightful and to complete the look we pair it off with a set of pearl earrings or maybe a teeny tiny crystal necklace to match with their tutu dress. There is no harm in the act but are you aware that you might be putting your child in danger when you embellish them with those jewelries?
Jewelries may be harmful to children not just because they could choke from it, but also from the jewelries’ components. You may not notice it immediately, but in the long run, health complications could arise, especially skin irritations however, I’m not saying that a child should never wear any jewelries at all. There are just things you should keep in mind before making them wear any jewelries.
Should Baby’s Pierced?
Nowadays, even babies have earrings. Wearing earrings for baby girls have been popular even in the past, parents take their child to malls or a pediatrician’s office to get them pierced. Eventually they will end up buying a tiny jewelry or earrings and it is very likely their birthstone. As we know, gemstone earrings for babies have been a trend for a long time now.
It has been debated for quite time if it is safe for babies to get pierced. Well, for moms who have deliberating it for a long time, here it is.
Others may have been seeing this idea as repulsive for the reason that the child in the process would hurt and for that they call the parents who does so cruel, while in other countries getting your baby pierced is actually a cultural tradition.
Nevertheless, this matter is a personal choice and of course for the one who made the call the parents should be responsible for looking after the child’s earlobes as it heals.
As you ponder over this, infection may also have been the one that is holding you back from having your baby pierced. As explained by a pediatrician, Dr. Tanya Altmann from West Lake Village, California of American Academy of Pediatrics, that there is always a risk of infection when it comes to piercing may it be a baby or not.
For Dr. Altmann she doesn’t pierce a baby unless aged at least four months old which already had two rounds of vaccinations. The risk is greater since you are dealing with a child for their body still have a weaker defense system.
Despite that Altmann said that she hardly have had a case of any baby infections owing to the moms who have been taking care of the child’s earlobes. She even added that when compared with older children, babies are less likely to have any infection for the reason that they don’t touch their earlobes unlike older kids who do so.
The mothers have been really cautious and meticulous after the baby’s piercing, carefully applying rubbing alcohol or antibiotics ointment couple of times daily.
Why is Jewelry Possibly Harmful to Child?
A child’s safety should always come first. As a parent or someone who takes care of a child their well being is above everything. If previously you have thought that the jewelries bring no harm to a child then think again. The metal contents in a jewelry could be dangerous for various reasons.
That bracelet your daughter always wear could possibly contain antimony or maybe that anklet which is your sons’ favorite potentially have some cadmium. The worst case would be that the jewelries that you or the child have contained lead!
If you are not aware why these substances are unsafe for your child, then I’m going to tell you the following reasons why.
What is lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning happens when there is too much lead that got into the body. It could be through oral administration like eating or drinking, it could also be through inhalation and direct skin contact! When lead accumulates in the body, it will harm wherever it ends up inside the body and numerous health issues would arise.
Everyone could be poisoned by lead, however babies and children on the other hand, are at higher risk and danger for health problems. Children below 3 years old are more susceptible to lead compared to older kids and adults.
It is because their bodies are still developing thus their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive and delicate and as their body grows it absorbs the lead. As a matter of fact, even a small amount of lead can bring great damage to their body especially in their development.
Lead can bring detrimental effects in every system in our body. Harming the production of blood cells and absorption of vitamins, also in muscle movements and in blood vessels. High level of leads can result in kidney damage, seizures, brain damage, coma and even death!
Signs. Lead poisoning is so hard to notice in some children that in fact a child may look healthy, but little do you know he or she already has a high level of lead in the body. Symptoms does not usually show until a dangerous amount have oiled up in the body.
In some cases you can see signs of lead poisoning when the child has:
- Loss weight
- Muscle and joint weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Learning problems, such as trouble in focusing
- Fatigue and looks pale
- Problems in behavior like irritability
Bring your child to a doctor immediately if you notice even just one of these signs. Lead poisoning can be diagnosed by the doctors through a blood test.
To be on the safer side, it is more advisable that you should bring your child regularly to the doctor after all it is all worth it if it is for the child’s welfare and also for you to be at ease.
Treatment. In treating lead poisoning it all depends on the level of lead is in the blood. A child that has a smaller lead in the body can usually be treated more easily. Additionally, Since our body naturally detoxify it can clear itself from the toxins, including lead consequently lowering and getting rid the lead in the body.
In severe cases of lead poisoning the child would need to be hospitalized and start on medication. The treatment process involves chelator where it will be attached to the lead in order to make it weaker. Of course the child would need to have a more healthier diet than an average meal. Most of all primary prevention is the optimal treatment. Prevent the child to more exposure to load.
Other than lead poisoning there are still several dangers for a child when it comes to poisoning through jewelries. We also have Cadmium Poisoning.
Cadmium poisoning is somewhat similar to lead. It can affect the child’s learning progress though, as reported in the study conducted by researchers of Harvard University those who are exposed to cadmium are three times more vulnerable to learning difficulties.
Based on a report, 12% of children’s jewelry are tested positive to have metal cadmium with at least 10% by weight. Most of these jewelries are those that are sold in cheap stores meaning it could be those jewelries that your child is wearing!
Exposure to cadmium through the mouth can cause stomach pain resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. Worst case of cadmium poisoning is death. Breathing cadmium has said to cause lung cancer as stated in an article by the National Cancer Institute.
Those two are just some of the toxic components a jewelry can possibly possess that a child a can acquire. There are still numerous dangerous metals in a jewelry but I guess that those two that I’ve mentioned is enough for the message to get through you.
Aside from the jewelry contents it could still be harmful, even with its form.
The number one candidate for that is a necklace. Children who wear necklace could end up strangled.
You should not let a child sleep with a necklace on. As it is placed on the neck its chains can easily enclose the neck and while unconscious the chains may get tangled therefore enclosing our neck and cutting off oxygen supply.
It is a known behavior for children to lick or put anything in their mouth. That is why they could choke from anything but having them wear a jewelry makes them more prone to choking.
Other than leaving a child unattended and not noticing that he already picked up some random stuff, as a child they unconsciously put it into their mouth and swallow it. Particularly if the object is small that can go into a child’s mouth.
Given that most jewelries especially for a child and because it is tiny makes it more accessible for their mouth. Jewelries are meant to be worn which is to say that the child always carry it and because of that they most likely will put it in their mouth.
Another reason you should also take into consideration is an allergy reaction. Jewelry manufacturers don’t always make and rarely sell a pure metal jewelry, it is mostly alloyed or mixed with other metals and they do this either the metal needs to be allowed to be stronger, thus making it better another reason is producing a pure metal jewelry just costs too much and so they mix it with other metal.
Commonly they compromise it by adding nickel, and just so you know, nickel is the element that most often trigger any skin irritations.
Now if you notice any red spots on the child’s skin where a jewelry is worn then you must take it off immediately. In some severe cases it might even be blisters or some itchy rash that may be painful. There are no sources in the current document.
To be more safe you can get your child tested on what are his or her allergies. The procedure isn’t that complicated, there are two ways it can be done, by skin test or blood test.
In skin test it just takes about 20 minutes to know the result, the doctor will put a small amount of allergen on the skin, then make a tiny scratch on the skin and if it has any reactions such as reddening or swelling up then the child is positive for that allergy.
Those are the certain things you need to look after when you are gonna make your baby wear any jewelry.
Still Want to Buy Jewelry for Child
Now I’m guessing right now that you think of never getting your kid any jewelry at all.
Well, that is up to you, but remember a child is always curious and would want certain things and a jewelry is not an exemption to it especially if you have a daughter. She would probably demand one of those shiny rings where she often sees in fairy tales and would make her feel as if she’s on one.
Females are just naturally attracted to jewelries, you should accept that.
And if you would still not buy her that ring that she dreamily admire, I’m telling you children has ways and I’m not talking about their charm along with their puppy eyes and that killer pout that you could never resist. Children are stubborn and what I mean is they would insist on it by hook or by crook.
If you’re not going to get it to them they would get their hands on it. Presumably they would buy one of those cheap rings that you could get at the dollar store. I’m not saying that there is something wrong with cheaper things but in jewelry? Yes! I have already discussed this above on why it’s a total yikes.
Now would you really risk that possibility instead of just buying them one which you certainly have thought of, well you are reading this article, safety of children wearing jewelry, then I presume you were planning to get a jewelry for your child but just decided not to maybe because of the reasons mentioned above.
A good quality jewelry. That’s right! You should get them those jewelries that aren’t just for appearance but should also be made with high quality.
Most especially if you were to give it to a really young child, you should choose pure gold or silver. Don’t you ignore that “pure” that I’ve just said. Yes, it is better if it is pure, but if it is too much for your budget, then you can at least give a 14kt gold if you buy any lower than that then you can’t still guarantee its safety.
10kt gold is mixed with more metals and that have included nickels, I don’t have to explain all over again that nickel is the most suspect when we’re talking about jewelry allergies right? You are now aware of its possible danger to a child. So pick that 14kt gold which is hypoallergenic.
How about Silver for Kids?
A lot of
parents actually make their babies wear a silver bracelet or anklet. Fun fact,
it is a tradition in India for babies to wear any silver accessory.
Not just for its appearance, but silver in fact has health benefits and this is
backed up by science.
As explained scientifically positively-charged silver ions creates the conductive field that reflects EM radiation and since our bodies are naturally conductive it results, then in a current then impelling a better circulation of blood, homeostasis in body temperature and such.
It may sound dubious, but University of Southampton researchers has actually conducted a study an evaluation of silver rings in relieving arthritis symptoms and the result was that it was effective.
However, you should also see to it if the child is allergic to silver. It may have health benefits, but to some it is the total opposite. That’s why knowing if your child has any allergies and if yes, what are those are very important.
If you decided to get your child a jewelry, here’s some tip on what to consider in selecting a jewelry for them.
Keep in mind…
Now you
know what are the downside along with how to \prevent any misfortunes when
getting a child a jewelry.
Now I’m gonna tell you on what to take into account when picking a jewelry for
a baby.
Safety above everything. Be always careful on what type of jewelry you are getting and what it is made of. It’s better not to buy with any that has magnet or batteries.
Buy in a trusted store. Check the store’s reputation and the jewelry’s label.
Quality check. You already know what are harmful in jewelries, look into the jewelry components if possible or ask the manufacturer.
Secured. Make sure it has any lock or screws so that it won’t get lost.
I’m not forcing you that you should buy your child a jewelry that’s a decision for you to make. I’m just here to tell you what to bear in mind in the case of a child wearing any jewelry. You can still enjoy dressing them up with jewelries just always be vigilant and careful.