pierced ears - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

snoopy63 · 06-12-2003, 09:40 PM

Hi! I normally post on another board here but wanted to know if someone could help me.

I am 39 and in Jan. had my ears pierced for the first time (I am female)

I left the starters in for 7 weeks and used the disinfecting solution they gave me and did everything I was supposed to but the problem is that even though it has been almost 5 months, I still constantly get infections in one or both lobes! I have one now! I dont change my earrings very often and when I do, I clean my ear and the earrings before I put them in. the earrings I have in most often are studs with gold posts. Right now my ear lobe is so swollen that I am afraid to take the earring out to clean it for fear that I cant get it back on and I am not supposed to have them out for long until another month or so. In fact, with all these infections, I wonder if that is holding up the healing process... My 10 yr old daughter had hers done at the same time and no problems... what am i doing wrong or what could i do or can I do anything? Maybe my body just doesnt want them! I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

Summer Girl · 06-13-2003, 04:00 PM

It sounds to me like your allergic to the gold. I think it has something to do with the nickle in the gold, not too sure though. But my niece is like that. She can wear gold jewelry but not gold earrings. She had the same symptoms you have and the doctor said that she is allergic. Try wearing earrings with surgical steel posts and see if that makes a difference. Its made a difference for my niece. I am almost positive that is the problem you have.
Good luck!

snoopy63 · 06-13-2003, 05:44 PM

Hey thanks! I will try that! I am not allergic to anything it seems, so it seemed inconceivable that that would be the problem! But I will try it. The only other earring i have a the moment are the "cheap" ones which i know arent good to leave in very long as well! Wish me luck! Thanks again!!

Summer Girl · 06-13-2003, 06:20 PM

Let me know how it works out!
Good luck!

libby · 06-14-2003, 05:51 AM

Snoopy...

My ears don't respond to cheap earings either! I keep good earings in my ears all the time. Once in a while I will use a cheap pair, but just for an evening or part of the day. Then the good one go right back in.

I have had my ears pierced forever it seems, and they still effect me the same way. I like to think my ears just have expensive tastes!

)