How can I tell if I have a sensitivity to metal before I get my ears pierced?

Question

I know that if you have sensitivity to metals you can't wear certain types of earrings, but I have no idea I am sensitive to metal, and I don't want to find out the hard way.

Answer 1

Just start out with a gold stud, those are the safest, then, after you heal, try nickle, and you will see if you are or not the easy way.

Answer 2

So many women develop ear irritations because they are allergic to particular metals. I think nickel is the culprit. I used to suffer from this and now wear only stainless steel or silver posts. I bought a pair of surgical steel posts for 'dangly' earrings - which I use to hook onto all my cheaper earrings. I have never had problems since doing this. You can also buy a lacquer to paint onto the posts of cheaper earrings - although it's effectiveness is only temporary. A lot of earring manufacturers are finally getting wise and are discontinuing the use of the offending metals. Just make sure that when you have your ears pierced - that you only wear surgical steel posts while the holes are healing. You will LOVE wearing earrings!!!!!!

Answer 3

start of with stainless steal earrings, they are cheaper.

then buy some cheap holiday type earrings.

if your ear swells, or get pink you are sensitive to any earrings and the ears are infected

wait till your ears heal and try silver and see if the ears get infected

try silver with gold over top--see if the ears get infected

I only wear gold, and I have double piercings, so I have few sets of earrings. My ear lopes are never infected and I can sleep in the earrings. At holidays i wear cheap earrings for a few hours and then clean with witch hazel.

Answer 4

The best way to avoid this is to get your ears pierced with high quality jewelry. That means that going to Claire's for ear piercings isn't going to to work. The guns are unsafe, the do not use proper jewelry either.
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Piercing_Gun

If you go to a professional piercer, you can be pierced with gold, surgical grade stainless steel or titanium. With those three metals, you are LEAST likely to have any reactions as you would to anything containing nickel, brass or coppers.

Avoid any coated or plated jewelry and if you are concerned, talk with the piercer so that they can be sure to fix any problems that occur.

Answer 5

Try wearing a necklace and see if that effects your skin. My 9 year old daughter has allergies to metal so she can't wear earrings or necklaces. She even gets irritated by some of the buttons on her jeans. So try different types of necklaces and see if that breaks out your skin. If not your probably safe with earrings.

Answer 6

i'm allergic to some metals and all you really have to do is make sure you get hypo-allergenic or stainless steel and u are okay! but, when the if they start tarnishing get rid of them!