What Are Hypoallergenic Earrings?

If your ears get red and itchy on wearing earrings for extended periods of time, you are most probably suffering from an allergic reaction to those earrings. The reaction might be due to the material of the earring or its metal. Repeated exposure can raise the likelihood of developing an allergy at any age. It is best to treat the condition as soon as possible as this could become a lingering issue for your earlobes.

However, the question is why this issue occurs in the first place. The allergic reaction is because the earlobes are a sensitive region. Earlobe skin, like the skin on the eyelids and lips, is thin, making it more prone to irritation and allergic responses. Earrings, which are put directly on the skin and remain in place for prolonged periods, are particularly responsible for causing severe allergic reactions.

To tackle the issue at hand, you must first determine the source of your discomfort. Various metals, according to experts, can produce an allergic response. Before buying and wearing a pair, make sure you are aware of the metal used in making it. It also helps to know beforehand which metals you are allergic to. A patch test is the best technique to determine whether or not you have a metal allergy, although specific materials seem to be more problematic. Nickel allergies are the most prevalent among people.

What Are Hypoallergenic Earrings?

While not all metals and materials are safe to wear, luckily, there are some metals that are non-allergenic and suitable for most people, including those who have sensitive skin. They are known as hypoallergenic metals and the earrings made from them are known as hypoallergenic earrings. There are stunning hypoallergenic metal options to consider such as sterling silver, rose gold, yellow gold, copper, platinum and titanium,  These metals are a great way to stay away from the possibility of catching earring allergies.

How To Choose?

Understanding which metals may cause an allergy might help you choose the one safest for your skin. If you come across earrings labeled as ‘hypoallergenic,’ do examine the metal composition to ensure that the combination will not bother your skin. Don’t just assume that all hypoallergenic earrings will work for you.

Mostly, the presence of nickel in earrings causes allergies for the majority of people. In such a scenario, the safest bet would be to pick earrings that are labeled nickel-free. Be cautious with some earrings which are labeled as hypoallergenic because the nickel in their posts is coated with another metal. However, the coating can wear off with time and continuous usage might hurt your ears. Be more cautious while choosing children’s hypoallergenic earrings as their skin is more delicate than that of adults.

For those with sensitive skin, consider earrings made of rose gold, yellow gold, platinum or silver and avoid white gold as it does contain some amounts of nickel. Furthermore, to avoid nickel contamination, only purchase earrings made of at least 14k gold or sterling silver 925. And if you ask which metal is purely hypoallergenic, we’d say it’s none other than platinum.

Let’s go through the variables that make earrings made of certain metals hypoallergenic in further detail.

• Gold Earrings: Gold earrings are considered the best hypoallergenic earrings for kids . When looking for the best hypoallergenic earrings, 14 to 22 karat gold are a safe bet because relatively few individuals are allergic or sensitive to neutral metals. It’s recommended to stay with gold karats over 14K, such as 18K and 22K because they contain more gold and very less amount of other metals. The greater the carat, the purer the metal and the lesser the probability of it triggering an allergy.
• Silver Earrings: If you want hypoallergenic earrings at a reasonable cost, silver earrings are ideal. Sterling silver (92.5 percent purity) is a good choice, although it may include trace amounts of nickel, usually insignificant. However, this will only be beneficial for individuals who do not experience allergic reactions to modest amounts of nickel.

This is due to the fact that pure silver is exceedingly soft and hence, not particularly durable. It may also be tough to find a large variety of silver earrings on the market.

• Platinum Earrings: If you are allergic to gold completely, platinum is the next best choice. Most people with a gold allergy can wear platinum since it is nickel-free. However, it is a considerably rare metal and is costlier than gold and silver. So, if the price doesn’t bother you, go for the best hypoallergenic earrings for sensitive ears in platinum.
• Surgical Stainless Steel Earrings: Surgical stainless steel is a superb and cost-effective alternative to gold and platinum. Although it contains nickel, the chromium finish and coating conceal the nickel and avoid direct contact with your ears, making it an ideal choice unless you have severe nickel allergies.

Also Read : Hypoallergenic Metals for Engagement & Wedding Rings

Make Earrings Hypoallergenic At Home

Do you want to wear your old earrings but are unable to do so because they cause allergies? If so, the solution is right here. You can make your earrings hypoallergenic at home using some simple DIY techniques. Here are some useful tips for making allergy-causing earrings more wearable.

• The ideal approach is to apply two or three coats of clear nail polish to the posts. It will work perfectly on earrings. This does not affect how your earrings appear or feel and it acts as a barrier between your ears and the metal. Remember to reapply the coat every week or so, as the nail polish or sealer will wear off. However, keep in mind that you should only use nontoxic and high-quality nail polish because cheap quality nail polish might trigger allergic reactions even more.

• The next method is using petroleum jelly. It is one of the simplest tricks and works wonderfully for the majority of individuals. Simply apply petroleum jelly to the areas of the earrings that come into contact with your skin. This acts as a protective barrier, just like nail polish. However, keep in mind that this will only work for a few hours, after that you need to reapply the jelly.

A hypoallergenic earring is one that has a low chance of triggering an allergic response. Always keep in mind that if someone is allergic to a metal, it is not necessary that you are allergic to the same metal too. Choose your metal earrings carefully since the skin around the ears is quite delicate.