This is actually not a question regarding my children, but myself. I received as a Christmas gift a gift card for ear piercing. I've had my ears pierced twice in my life, the first time in the early teens, the second mid-twenties. I always struggled with infections. I think my original studs from the first time were surgical steel. Over the years, purchasing nickel free earrings was no guarantee and even quality earrings would sometimes cause infection. I don't recall my studs ever causing a problem.
I stopped wearing earrings all together around five or so years ago.
There are different metals out there now and wondered what should I go with? I've read 14K gold or titanium don't cause problems. Is this correct? I have no idea if "surgical steel" is still made.
This jewelry store offers 14K and titanium. What would your suggestion be on which metal to try? I also saw stainless steel, but have no idea if that would be an issue or not.
This time around, if something works, I will only purchase new earrings made out of the same material, backs and all.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks everyone for your responses! I had no idea there were so many others out there who have experienced the same scenario. I did go with 14K white gold. About five days after, my ears started itching and burning at times, but they are fine now. After reflecting a little more on my history, it seems the culprits were usually hoop earrings or earrings that weren't post earrings. Maybe it was an additional way the earring was pulling at the ear?? But I do love smaller hoops and pretty earrings that dangle!
Thanks so much again for everyone's advice. I really appreciate it!
It depends on what you are allergic to? For some it is the nickel in the metals. Maybe get some allergy testing done prior, so you know what you could be allergic to.
good luck
When I had my ears pierced, I started off with gold studs. I believe you are supposed to leave them in for 8 weeks or so, just twist them so they don't stick to your healing skin and disinfect with alcohol daily. I have had my ears done 3 times. I am sensitive also, after the initial 14k gold phase, I only buy earrings that say hypoallergenic, and I don't have any problems at all. Some people coat the backs and posts of cheap earrings with clear fingernail polish. I haven't done this, and honestly I don't like the idea. Good luck, have fun with this, and keep those studs in there for the required time frame. They may give you a bottle of ear cleaner, rubbing alcohol does the job too.
I can do 10K, 14K, & sterling silver. That's it. I'm on my 2nd round of piercings. Good Luck!
Do you have access to a dermatologist? They could help point you in the right direction. Also, although I can't say what metal's best, I have an allergy to all metal earrings except 14k. If I wear any other metal, my earlobes react badly (they swell, the skin gets crusty). Perhaps this is similar to what you are experiencing. If so, then absolutely stick to you plan of only purchasing earrings made out of whatever metal works for you.
Good luck!
Over the years I have had 3 piercings in one ear and 5 in the other, including cartilage. I was never able to do earrings without problems. I even tried 14 K gold, still got infections. It's just something about earrings... I have other body piercings that I have NO issue with whatsoever.
Now I just don't wear earrings anymore (for the last 10 years). I am lucky in that my holes also do not close, so once or twice a year I will wear my earrings for a few hours and the remove them. But that won't work with fresh piercings.
I think they also make medical grade silicone "placeholders" - I have not tried those but as I said, for me I don't think the metal is the issue - I think it's that ear piercings are more exposed to contamination and "stress" (touching, pulling, hair, hats, laying on them at night....) that makes them more prone to infection.
Good luck!
We took my little one recently to have her ears pierced (her choice) and they used titanium. The guy piercing her ears said this was the best kind to use, but we also went to a piercing studio. Good luck.
My ears can only handle either 14K white gold platinum or titanium earrings. I would say go with the higher end earrings.
My daughter had her second holes done in August and they got very infected in early October. Her ear lobes are thick and the earrings they used to pierce, while 14k gold, were not long enough. So when she wanted them done again in late October, we got longer studs and went to a different place. So make sure you are getting the right length of stud, that may have something to do with it.
She uses 14k gold also, but even that sometimes bothers her. She takes her earrings out at night (after the 6 weeks) and wears them all day. So that break helps a lot too I think.
Explain to them what your issues are/have been and I bet they can provide some good advice too.
The infections might be just part of the piercing, earrings not being clean and the piercer.I have a stainless steel necklace and I have no problems with wearing it all the time. 14K gold or titanium shouldn't cause any infections. clean your earrings and ears with alcohol,nothing else. I have never had a problem this way.If I use the solution they give at the store when you get your ears pierced,then I have problems.
good luck
14K gold is only 58.5% pure. The rest can be made up of copper, nickel, zince, etc. I cannot wear gold, not even 18K. The only metals I can wear in my ears are titanium and platinum. I had my daughter's ears pierced last year and went with titanium and she had no problems. She is very sensitive, even more so than I am. Our pedicatrician's office started offering ear piercing and they had gold as an option. They soon found out that was a problem and they switched to titanium. Not all stainless steel is created equal. If you are going to go with that make sure it's surgical grade stainless steel.
14k gold bothers me as well. My allergist recommended that I wear titanium earrings to avoid any reactions although I haven't tried them yet. Perhaps you should get tested to be sure of what your allergies are.
I also had infections, except from 14k. Also i found taking them out at night & cleaning them helps a lot. I would try it again just once & use 14K
