Ear piercing and allergy

[Why??]

I had my ears pierced about 20 years ago and have always suffered with them. I have given up altogether as even gold sets them off. I was thinking off having them re-pierced as they have pretty much closed over now, the last few times I tried to put earings in I have had to make a new hole at the back of my lobe(ouch!) as it has closed. I was thinking of trying 24 carat earings to see how I get on. Any advise?

[charliebaps]

I wouldn't bother. There are so many lovely clip ons available now that you don't need to pierce your ears.

I had mine pierced years ago and out of 3 piercings one of them always gave me trouble so ignored it and let it close over. Definately wouldn't pierce it through again as it would go through the scar tissue and if I want to have more earrings then buy a clip on.

[kick3m0n]

if you were allergic to nickel (which is probably what gave you problems) then that will still be an issue, it's unlikely to have gone away. I'm allergic to a lot of non precious metals, but even low carat weight gold will set me off, because there's nickel in it. 24 carat gold is OK for me, but to be honest, it's highly impractical, as very few earrings are available in 24 ct. If I wear anything else, I end up with sore, itchy earlobes for days...even after only a few hours wear. I gave up in the end. I'm not big on jewellery so it's not an issue for me, and I do sometimes put in a wee 9ct gold pair for a couple of hours for the odd special occasion. Oh and Charliebaps----I can't wear clip ons either, because just having contact with the skin is enough to set my ears off. Ditto I can only wear stainless steel watch and watch straps, and cannot have a belt buckle touch my tummy, unless it's got no nickel in it.

[charliebaps]

I know what you mean kick. Any metal buckles etc and my tummy goes madly red but I sometimes put some surgical tape or nail varnish over it to stop the contact. This could easily be done with clip ons.

[Kay]

I wear screw in earrings Why??. Much more comfy than clip ons. I've had my ears pierced twice with no luck:-)

[shazbang]

Had the same problem myself until I figured out that I couldn't wear gold in my ears. Used to get the most awful infections. Now I buy earrings from Claires Accessories and other high street shops and have no problems. Why not try wearing a 'cheap' pair and see how you get on.

[joko]

clear nail varnish should stop any irritation

[Metz]

I have the same probs and wear titanium rings or silver with no probs,got a few piercings here and there :o)

[Why??]

thanks for all the advise, I also suffer with belt buckles but seem to be ok with watch straps and other jewellery, I have tried clip-ons and they irritate me too. Thanks again.