Mother’s fury after daughter, 14, was put in isolation for wearing earring at school

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Furious mother slams school after daughter, 14, was put in isolation for wearing earring which stops her getting migraines

  • Skye Cohen, 14, was put in isolation at school for having a ‘daith’ ear piercing 
  • Her mother Kerry Cohen claims the earring eases Skye’s pain from migraines
  • Daith piercings are said to relieve migraines in a similar way to acupuncture
  • Her teachers at George Spencer Academy said it was against school policy

By Aliki Kraterou For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A teenager has been put in isolation for wearing an an ear piercing which ‘helps with migraines’.

Kerry Cohen said she was ‘really cross’ when her eldest daughter Skye Cohen, 14, came home from school after she had been placed in isolation for having a new ‘daith’ ear piercing.

The Nottinghamshire teen had the piercing done two months ago, with her mother’s permission, in a bid to ease her pain from migraines but was told it is against school policy. 

George Spencer Academy student Skye Cohen, 14 was put in isolation for having a  ‘daith’ ear piercing

The Year 9 George Spencer Academy student, has suffered with migraines since primary school – something doctors have told her could be hereditary. 

And while they have tried several alternatives, her migraines get so painful she has to mss lessons.

Ms Cohen, 46, of Stapleford, said: ‘The school knows about her migraines because I’ve had to pick her up and bring her home when they are really bad.

‘But she’s not been suffering since she’s had the piercing.

‘The school have only just noticed because it is hard to spot and she wears her hair down but they have said they cannot allow it and won’t accept a letter from a doctor as I have suggested.

‘The school permits single ear studs only.

‘Skye was upset she had been in isolation all day even though I know there are other pupils who have piercings too.

‘But Skye is always punctual, she works hard and is well-presented. I just wonder where the compassion is when children have already missed so much schooling.’ 

For Skye, who said she can get migraines ‘a few times a week’, the piercing seems to be working. 

Kerry Cohen gave permission to her daughter Skye to get the piercing done two months ago

Kerry Cohen gave permission to her daughter Skye to get the piercing done two months ago

The 14-year-old said: ‘I find it easier to concentrate now and I haven’t been getting the migraines.

‘Being in isolation we sort of have a choice what to do but it could put me behind on work.’

Ms Cohen added:  ‘I have even tried to meet the school halfway and we changed the piercing to a clear bar so it’s even less noticeable for the next day.

‘I’ve explained it’s not cosmetic, it’s for health purposes, but they just won’t budge.’ 

‘I am going to stand my ground on this – I understand there are rules but I think schools need to look at individual cases.

Skye has has suffered with migraines since primary school but the earring seems to be helping

Skye has has suffered with migraines since primary school but the earring seems to be helping

‘It was my decision to let her have it, even though I wasn’t really a fan.

‘Skye wants to keep it in and surely it is better than her missing lessons and me having to pick her up and also have to miss work.’ 

A spokesperson for George Spencer Academy said: ‘Unfortunately, the school cannot comment on any individual student enquiries.

‘More widely, George Spencer Academy upholds high standards of uniform and student presentation.

‘However, the Academy will always make reasonable adjustments for any students with medical conditions certified by a medical professional.’

How can ‘Daith’ piercings help relieve a migraine?

The theory goes that ‘daith’ piercings relieve migraines, in a similar way to how acupuncture is used to help ease symptoms.

Acupuncture, a therapy which began in China more than 2,000 years ago, involves placing fine needles at specific pressure points on the body’s surface. 

The needles are then manipulated by a acupuncturist, either manually or electrically.

It causes the blood vessels around the needle to open up and become wider, allowing for an increase in blood flow to the tissues in the immediate area.

A report published in 2012 in the Archives of Internal Medicine analysed nearly 18,000 patients and doctors from eight universities and hospitals in the UK, US and Germany.

The results showed in conditions including chronic headache, acupuncture was twice as effective as the drugs and exercise recommended by most doctors.

The Migraine Relief Center recognises the link, albeit a unproven one, between ‘daith’ piercings and easing migraine symptoms.

‘The principle is that the piercing mimics acupuncture by hitting a pressure point, which relieves the pressure in the patient’s head,’ a blog on the website states.

‘By having it done on the same side as most migraines occur, it’s thought to help reduce the incidence of migraines in the area.’

But, it cautions: ‘At this point, the effect of daith piercings on migraine has not been officially studied so it’s difficult to determine whether there’s any truth to the claims or not.’