SHE WANTS IT DONE

OBJECTIVE: To compare ear piercing practices and complications arising therefrom in British and Sudanese children and to seek possible ethnic, cultural and environmental differences. SETTINGS: Maelor General Hospital, Wrexham, UK and Wad Medani Children Hospital, Wad Medani, Sudan. METHODS: Parents of a hundred British children and an equal number of Sudanese parents were requested to fill a questionnaire on ear piercing. All children were examined for possible local or systemic complications. RESULTS: All parents answered the questionnaire. Eighty-eight (88%) of the British children were girls while all Sudanese children (100%) were girls. Eighty (80%) of the British children had had their ears pierced before they were 6 years old while 90% of Sudanese children had had their ears pierced below that age. The procedure was performed in both groups by non-medical staff. Local inflammation and allergic contact reactions were the commonest complications in both groups. Keloids were only encountered in the Sudanese children. A case of tetanus was encountered in the Sudanese group. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Ear piercing in both communities is performed at a very early age. This procedure is not without complications and the medical profession should advise safety in this practice. Earrings selected should be of non-allergenic material. Regular application of an antiseptic to the site should be encouraged. The community should be made aware of the hazards and complications of ear piercing. With the awareness of these complications and guided with a set of rules, people may continue the practice (she may have it done). Health authorities in Sudan should formulate guidelines that will ensure hygienic measures and reduce complications.