Help me wear earrings again!

[TryAgainWithFeeling]

I haven’t regularly worn earrings since my kids were born, so about 6 years, and didn’t wear them at all from lockdown until last year.

Now, if I try to wear them (all the ones I have are sterling silver), I find my ears get really itchy, when I take them out the holes are gunky. When putting them in I don’t have to punch them through or anything, but there is resistance.

Any ideas what’s going on? Do I need to find something hypoallergenic and comfy and just wear them 24/7 for a few weeks to force my ears to get used to them?

The only metal I can wear is platinum. It’s bloody annoying

As PPs said, it's a nickel allergy and it's common. I hadn't worn earrings for 10+ years because of it, but have restarted last month with hypoallergenic ones: titanium and stainless steel. Not even trying anything that's not labeled hypoallergenic.
It's going great! No issues at all, and I love the fact that I can wear earrings again.

When did you last wash your earrings?

Give them a soak overnight in a water and dettol soloution.