Ear piercing - metal allergy worry

[An0therQuestion]

Hiya, I’m hoping you guys can put my mind at rest!

I have my ear lobes pierced and have done for about 4 years. They seem to be ok in general, but In fairness I tend to stick and switch around earrings I already have as I know they don’t irritate me. All of these are karat gold.

However… the reason I tend to stick with just gold karat is because early on after having my ears pierced (maybe about 4 months after) I bought some danglys from river island and within half hour they were bleeding and I was in a right mess. I’m assuming as it was fashion jewellery they contained a high percentage of nickel and ever since it’s put me off buying anything but real gold.

That was until today when I bought some sterling silver 925 from the ‘six’ range at Tesco. Now I’m worrying if I put them in, I’m going to suffer the same as I did with the dreaded RI earrings a few years back.

How likely is it that people in general have a metal allergy to sterling silver 925?

what do I do if I am one of the unfortunate people that IS allergic? Do I remove and replace with what I know is ok, I assume I wouldn’t leave? How do I stop the allergy becoming an infection IF this did occur?

i know this sounds like a ridiculous issue to query…

Anyone?! 🙈

I could never wear 'fashion' earrings but was told I should be fine with sterling silver - which is the case. DD has one sterling silver pair that have caused her issues, but is otherwise fine.

If they are fish hook type dangle earrings, you can buy new hooks in titanium, stainless steel or nobium and switch them over- all those years of avoiding earrings until I few years ago when I realised this.
https://www.serenityjewellery.co.uk/search?type=product&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=Fish+hook+wires

My daughter is super allergic and can only wear high grade surgical steel earrings. We get them from solace jewellery. I can wear gold or silver but not cheapies - well actually I can wear them for a few hours but my ears start to feel sore. I doubt they'd be bleeding after a few hours though. Maybe they weren't fully healed back then?

You can only try.. I think it’s luck of the draw really - I’m fine with platinum, titanium, surgical steel and 925 silver but I react to gold! Weird..

Fashion earrings have always caused lumps in my lobes. Had my second holes done a few months ago and had hives all over my face for months on end. Recently switched to some studs from solace jewellery and it cleared. Tried some 925 silver before this and was still allergic. The earrings from the piercer were stainless steel and didn't bother me but I lost them

Titanium and 14k (or more) gold is best if you’re allergic. You might be ok with silver for a short time but it’s not body safe for extended periods.

My piercings are easily irritated so I only wear titanium, surgical steel or medical grade plastic. I use to be able to wear gold but find that now makes them raw and scabby.

I do buy cheap, dangly earrings but I swap the hooks for titanium ones.

I can only wear earrings from solace as well!

As PP have said you should probably be fine with gold, sterling silver, stainless steel or titanium. I'd suggest avoiding any 'fashion' type jewellery, especially those with rhodium or nickel which can be common allergenics

Titanium is all I can tolerate

I’ve got some very fancy diamond earrings with gold backs but get swelling and itching after wearing them a day/night. Any type of silver kills my ears

I've got a really serious allergy to most metals and can only wear gold, silver, titanium, or aluminium jewellery anywhere on my body. My ears are particularly sensitive and will react in less than five minutes if I put any earrings in thst have any nickel content even if they are silver or gold plated. I've always found that any pure sterling silver is fine, and although I've met a number of people over the years with an allergy to metals, I've never come across anyone who could wear gold but not silver.

Surgical steel or titanium. My ears are riddled with metal (36 piercings), found this out the hard way.

Thanks all… so if I do try these and they aren’t suitable.. do I take out straight away, bathe with salt water and put ones back in that I know are ok ?

Ouch!! 🥺😢

I developed an allergic reaction to cheap earrings years ago - about 15 years after I had my ears pierced. I didn't wear any earrings at all for years as I lost interest! But I have started again and sterling silver has been fine. I don't really suit gold.

I'm not sure what you should do if you have a reaction, but personally the very idea of putting other earrings in while suffering with painful, crusty ears is making me wince!! I would bathe them and leave them with no earrings until they have healed. I hope they are ok for you though. Silver is beautiful.

I’m allergic to fashion jewellery and even stainless steel piercing earrings but can wear Sterling silver (925 silver) and gold.

I can only wear titanium earrings. You have to watch out for what the backs are made of too.

I stick to titanium posts. I buy threadless posts and that way there are loads of options for the front - have a look at Junipurr or NeoMetal for example as two lovely brands. You have to buy through proper piercers but you can often order online (I buy a lot from Stay Sharp studio who has an online shop and is really helpful with sizing etc).