SUPER Sensitive Pierced Ears.

You are allergic to metal. I am allergic to all metal. The snap on my jeans makes me break out. Even the so called hypo-allergenic metals I am allergic to. I don't know what would happen if I needed an operation as all scalpels are made of metal. I get hives where the metal touches me and itch like crazy. When I had my last son they put that metal disc on my stomach to see the contractions. I was fine while they did it but that night my stomach was a hive covered mess and I was miserable...on top of having a baby. Heat seems to make it worse. Winter is a little better. It has been 25 years and it has not gone away. I miss jewelry. For awhile I could wear rings and a watch, now nothing.

Aren't most backings surgical steel now? Maybe the polish was old. Why not try without the polish and of course use the alcohol on ears and earrings. When I haven't worn earrings in awhile the first time I always "feel" them then it goes away. If you have at least one gold pair of earrings wear those for a while to "train" your ears for other earrings. Good Luck

The right kind of doctor would probably be a dermatologist, if you choose to consult one. You probably won't need to, though.

I used to work in a jewelry store that sold a wide range of materials/price ranges, and I also have sensitive skin, so maybe I can be a little help here...

Do not wear anything that you don't know the composition of, first of all. Mixed metals just aren't for you. Try surgical steel posts and see how those work. If sterling doesn't work for you, it may be because jewelry labeled sterling is required to be 92.5% pure silver. There can still be other metals in there, the most common being nickel. Nickel sensitivity is fairly common. Gold (14K or better) may work for you, but of course it's pricey. Have you seen oxidized titanium earrings? Lightweight, colorful, inexpensive, and very few people have trouble with them - make sure the post or wire is also titanium.

It is possible that the nail polish you're using as a buffer is itself the problem - most contain acetones and other chemicals that many people are sensitive to. The nail polish fix never worked for me for that reason.

Another thing to consider - it doesn't matter what the posts are made of if the rest of the earring is made of something you're sensitive to. Any part that touched the ear needs to be considered carefully.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

I have had my ears pierced since I was 3 weeks old, and they have always been sensitive. I had to invest in a nice pair of titanium (I don't like yellow gold) earrings. White gold is okay for the day, but any longer and I have a slight reaction. I also clean my ears and earrings with sterile saline because alcohol dries out my ears so bad they peel and flake (gross I know). Wait till your ears heal completely before you try again, that way you know if your having another reaction to something you try. Good luck!

I work for a jewelry store and I pierce ears at work, we recommend either gold or titanium for people with metal allergies. I also would not recommend white gold, since sometimes it can have nickel in it, and that is sometimes what people are allergic to, so stick with yellow gold instead (no nickel). Good luck!

Surgical steel should be ok- and gold.....

You have metal sensitivity..... I wouldn't recommend using nail polish as a barrier. That can irritate skin too.

Good luck!

http://www.thezenlady.com/hypoallergenicearrings.html

The best results will come from SURGICAL stainless steel. go online and look for earrings under that header. They are cheaper than the gold and silver and are as safe bet.

Gold and silver are soft metals-theyt only become hard when mixed with other metals.

M.,
I have the same problem and these two things work to eliminate the problem. First, when you buy new earrings, make sure they are nickle free. Nickle is usually what causes the allergic reaction. Second, go to Claire's and buy plastic sleeves and backs for your earrings. They come in packages of 10 (I think). You will have to trim the sleeves (as they are quite long) so that the backs will fit over the post. I have not had any problems sinces doing this. I hope it works for you, too!
E.

Each time I was pregnant I developed a sensitivity to metal but it would be better once I had the baby. By my third, I was so sensitive I couldn't wear my wedding ring. Unfortunately the sensitivity never went away, 2 years later I still cannot wear yellow gold or any sort of fake gold. I can however wear platinum and white gold without problem. I had a lot of my jewelry dipped in rhodium which is what is used to coat yellow gold to make it white gold. I have not had a problem since. I don't think there is anything the doc can do about it, it is just a developed allergy you may have to live with.

Good luck!

P.S. After reading the responses and a lot of people suggesting nickel, I was told that yellow gold sometimes has nickel mixed in it to make it stronger so you may experience this problem with yellow gold too. Also, hypoallergetic does not work for me, I break out just as though I am wearing any other jewelry. I have not tried titanium though, I am going to see how that works.

Definitely go gold - I have the same problem and only 14 karat or above doesn't irritate me. Good luck!

I have the same problem (or close to) and all I can wear is pure gold. I haven't tried white gold, and I know they're probably not cheap, I just don't wear earrings except on Sunday...

Stick with gold and make sure you clean them until they heal. My gf and sister cant wear fake earrings either.

hi!!! ive bi nhaving the same kind of problems!!! my hormone balance has changed due to the menapause (yuck who wants to be a woman lol) anyway i have hit on the fab idea of wearing plastic stem earings!! its working very well so far and after years of being able to wear any type of earing you can imagine my sudden disapointment of red, swollen and puss producing lobes!!! try it honestly you can get really nice ones just google plasticearings and once you get past the silly plastic designes with metal hooks etc you will find them!!! if not google hypoallergic! good luck and dont give in ive just spent 4 months or more putting up with the pain from my expensive earings, wearing savlon every night to calm itall downand im sooo happynow!!!

You have a serious allergy to nickel. My daughter has it, too. You can get plastic earrings from Derma Doctor (I think that's what it's called.) Let them rest a bit and then you can try to get Nickel Free earrings. They cost a little more, but it's worth it not to be in pain or have to have your little blisters lanced because they get infected.
Good Luck!
LBC

go gold! I've had this problem all my life, trust me, it's worth saving u[ a few bucks for a pair of modest hoops or whatever, I get a rash if costume jewelry earrings even brush against my ear/face/neck area. Try your local pawn shop, too-great deals AND you can talk the price down!