Hey everyone - I got my ears pierced a couple of weeks ago, and after about 24 hours they turned really red and started to swell. So 4 days later I went to see a nurse and she confirmed that it was an allergic reaction and not an infection. I went back to the place where I got them pierced and figured out exactly what type of earrings they were, and they turned out to be 14 karat white gold, but the nickel was removed because so many people are allergic to it. I took out my earrings and let them heal, then went back to get my ears pierced but with titanium earrings instead, and they are doing well and I haven't had any problems. So, my question is what exactly do you think I'm allergic to? I'm guessing it's gold, but a lot of people had said that you can't really be allergic to gold, it's the nickel in the gold. But since the nickel was removed wouldn't you think I am allergic to the gold itself? Now I'm wondering what types of earrings I can wear after my 6 weeks is up...what do you think about sterling silver or stainless steel in addition to titanium? Sorry this was so long, but thanks for reading!

Lindsay

My bet is your aren't allergic to gold. Pure gold is 24K so 14K gold contains 10K of some other metal. I'm sure that is what you are allergic to, whatever it is. Do you have problems wearing gold rings or necklaces? Surgical Steel and sterling silver are good choices if it really turns out you can't wear gold.

I went thru the same thing. I can't wear anything except stainless steel. I react to gold and I think that the only reason I have been able to wear my wedding ring for 31 years is by the Lord's grace. I have a stainless steel watch and watchband and a stainless steel medical Id bracklet. I gave up on earrings years ago, but never tried titanitum (sorry about spelling). I never got an offiicial diagnosis, but after about three miserable years of rash and redness and feeling bad wearing jewerly, I gave up. The dr used to tell me I had gotten into poison ivy, but when I took off the jewerlry it went away.
I have tried to wear a ring or watch and gotten away with it for a few days, but then it starts. I think the longer I have stayed away from the metals, the less sensitive I have become. Unfortunately, now I am sensitive to latex and that is a whole new world of problems.

mom was allergic to gold jewelry, she wore platinum.

I can wear jewelry sometimes and not others. I can wear earrings one time and not have a problem but the next time they get soar and nasty. I don't know if it's because my body sometimes has some kind of chemical that flucuates and causes the reactions.The first time I had my ears pierced in 2nd grade, I had a reaction. That was 14kt gold.
Even stainless steel gives me a problem.
I've tried white gold and it was great for a while, I wore some earrings for a week with no problems, then a month later I put the earrings in and I could only wear them for a day or so. I clean them with soap and water as alcohol and hydrogen peroxide seem to make the problem worse.
When my necklaces react with sweat and pinch my little hairs on my neck I get terrible rashes.
Sometimes I get a rash under my wedding ring too.
And forget wearing a watch.
Don't know if I've ever tried titanium but I think I might
It is frustrating sometimes when I want to get my bling bling on, and can't:)
Nodi

What about other jewelry you may wear...rings, watch, etc? Do you have problems with hem? If not, then it probably is a problem with the open wound being next to the metal and it may clear up once the holes heal.
Also, they can coat jewelry with a substance that keeps you from breakingout. I forget what it is called but any reputable jeweler should know.
I friend of mine had to have his wedding ring coated inside.