Earrings into old pierced holes

[bigbeautifulmonster]

Haven't worn earrings for a while but would like to again. I can get the earring in but the area around the hole feels really tender by the end of the day- not red or infected looking but sore if I gently squeeze the ear lobe- so I leave it and don't wear again for a while then try again, same result.

Any advice how I can wear my earrings again pain free?

They're only studs/small earrings so not putting any downward pressure.

How best to disinfect the earrings (this may be the problem)?

What are they made from?

It may be that the hole has decreased in diameter. You can persevere with your current ones or buy a smaller gauge earring from a specialist store that sells multiple sizes designed for cartilage.

I had this problem a few months ago and bought a pair of small studs and hoops from here solacejewellery.co.uk/

My ears were still a tiny bit red for the first couple of wears but not nearly as bad as with my usual earrings. They're absolutely fine now and I can wear them all day with no problems. I still haven't been brave enough to try my old earrings again, so I don't know if I'm totally "cured".

It is possible you are allergic and are reacting to the earrings. What are they made of? Gold was worst for me, because it is always mixed with other metals to make it stronger, and I’m allergic to them. Surgical level steel is best, followed by silver. Regular cheap earrings are usually ok, much better than gold, although I have to wear them for a day to be sure.

So try different earrings.

I had given up on earrings until I got some from Solace - I see someone else has already recommended!

I ended up getting mine pierced again

Agree with previous recommendations for Solace. Their earrings are great.

I have had this a few times. I used surgical spirit on the earrings and lobes daily, as that’s what was recommended when I first had them pierced. Does seem to soothe the redness and help the skin to reduce the sensitivity.

I used a bit of Savlon healing gel on mine at nighttime for a couple of weeks. That seemed to calm them down and I’ve had no more problems.

Are the earrings clean? I would clean the earrings and ears with saline, and try not to touch them.

Thank you all. I'll look into Solace.

Not sure what they're made of- they're just regular ones from the high street. nothing fancy.

I've just googled surgical spirt as I've never used it but it says 'can cause burning sensation on broken skin', some say don't use on broken skin... not sure if that's what I should be using?

Because I wear earrings so rarely now, I was finding that a day in earrings made my ears a bit sore too.

I bought a pair of white gold sleepers which I now wear all the time and just swap out for nicer ones if I'm going anywhere - has worked a treat, no soreness any more.

Don’t use surgical spirit. That’s very outdated advice. You can buy special cleaner for piercings. Failing that make up some saline solution. Pint of boiling water to a tsp of salt. Mix and allow to cool before using.

I came in to ask exactly this! Thank you!

Oops! In fairness I did get my ears pierced about 30 years ago!