Do you usually wear earrings? They are a popular piece of jewelry since they can adapt to almost all tastes. However, they are also an accessory that can cause discomfort if we don’t choose the appropriate material. You may only notice an itching and slight reddening but it can sometimes cause the ear lobes to become inflamed. These symptoms indicate you have an allergy to earrings that are made from certain materials. To prevent it from happening again, we are going to explain which materials you should avoid and which hypoallergenic earrings you should choose to enjoy your earrings without any worries.

What is an earring allergy?

The first thing is to know how to identify an allergy to earrings and understand what is happening. The first symptoms will be a reddening, itch or mild discomfort that can get worse if you don’t remove the earrings that are causing it. This is due to an adverse reaction in the skin when it comes into contact with certain materials in the jewelry. These substances can cause an allergic reaction. The immune system recognizes the metal as a threat and releases substances called histamines, causing the typical allergy symptoms. They may appear immediately or after a few hours.

What types of earrings can cause allergies?

As we already know, earring allergies are caused by certain materials that are used in making jewelry. Let’s take a look at the types of earrings that can cause irritation to people who suffer allergies.

  • NICKEL EARRINGS: Nickel is one of the main culprits of earring allergies. This material is very popular in jewelry-making thanks to its high strength. The whole earring may contain nickel or just the part that comes into contact with the skin, like the fastening. Finding earrings that are made entirely of nickel is uncommon, they are usually made of alloys. For that reason, bear in mind that your stainless steel or copper earrings may contain nickel in the form of an alloy and cause you an allergic reaction. 
  • GOLD PLATED EARRINGS: Although it is generally tolerated well by most people, gold plated earrings may contain traces of less noble metals that cause skin irritation. The plating may wear with use and uncover the base metal, which may contain nickel.
  • COBALT EARRINGS: Together with nickel, cobalt is one of the materials that is most likely to cause irritations and is also one of the most common when it comes to jewelry making. It can trigger the typical allergic reactions if your body doesn’t tolerate it. Have you had a bad experience with this material in the past? Check the earrings in question don’t contain it in order to prevent an allergic reaction.
  • NON-METALLIC EARRINGS: Earrings made from wood, plastic, stone or other non-metallic materials carry little risk of causing an allergy. But remember, the most important part is the fastening. This is the main part that comes into contact with your skin. Is the fastening metallic? Check it doesn’t contain any metal you are allergic to.

How do you prevent or treat an earring allergy?

If you are reading this article, you are bound to have experienced an allergic reaction to wearing a certain pair of earrings, right? If the answer is yes, keep reading our tips to prevent your skin from becoming irritated again. 

Hypoallergenic earrings

Always choose hypoallergenic earrings. They are designed to reduce the risk of allergies to a minimum and are ideal for people with sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic jewelry does not contain nickel or other allergenic metals and is made of safe materials like 18 carat gold or above, sterling silver or titanium. These are purer, more robust metals and are less prone to releasing particles that cause skin irritation.

Cleaning your earrings

If you have sensitive skin, you should pay particular attention to looking after and cleaning your earrings to prevent any allergic reaction. Clean earrings before and after using them, with soap and water or with alcohol to remove any traces of dirt. Dry the earrings thoroughly with a soft cloth and store them in a clean and dry place, away from other metal objects that may contaminate them.

Earring use

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The prolonged use of certain earrings may irritate the skin. They may contain a minimal percentage of nickel or cobalt that only causes an allergic reaction after a few days. Bear in mind that sweat, humidity, and chafing can increase the release of nickel. Have those earrings you’ve always worn in total comfort suddenly started causing you discomfort? That may be as a result of prolonged use, because you’ve worn them to play sport or not removed them at night. Allow your lobes to rest to prevent allergic reactions.

If you are currently experiencing an allergic reaction to your earrings, remove them and avoid wearing them again. Wash the infected area with soap and water and dry carefully. Apply a moisturizing cream or aloe vera gel to calm the skin and boost regeneration. If symptoms are mild, you can ask the pharmacy for an oral antihistamine or corticosteroid cream to reduce the inflammation and itching. If symptoms persist or get worse, see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent any complications.

If you want to be absolutely sure of the material your earrings are made of, visit the TOUS online store. We state the metals and other materials our high-quality jewelry is made from on each product data sheet. If you have sensitive skin, choose our gold jewelry that will leave you looking fabulous, without causing uncomfortable allergic reactions.