Earring sensitivity and kids

[kitty]

I got my ears pierced at age 12 and happily wore Claire's or other mall earrings for a few years but eventually developed sensitivity to most "cheap" earrings. My mom had the same issue and has only worn gold as far back as I can remember. OTOH, my sister can wear anything and never became sensitized.

DD is getting her ears pierced next weekend for her birthday. Would you be careful with what kinds of earrings she wears? Or let her have at it and hope she doesn't take after you?

If you think I should be careful about not letting her wear earrings likely to be allergenic, do you have any recs? I'd like to wrap a few pairs for her to open on her birthday even though it will be a little while before she's swapping them out regularly. She told me she wants "seasonal earrings" - like a heart for vday, flag for the 4th, christmas tree, pumpkin, etc and I know I'm not going to find that in gold in my budget!

[shauni27]

I have no idea but I am nearly 40 and even solid gold, platinum, sterling silver, etc, cause me to have reactions when I wear earrings. It sucks.

[mccallister84]

DD1 just got her ears pierced three weeks ago. We did it at a jewelers and he said no “fashion earrings” for a full year. He said gold for the first six months and then we can try sterling silver.

I did buy her a second pair of gold earrings and I guess we will see what we end up actually doing. She’s not even to the point where she can change her starter earrings so we have a bit.

[nicolewi]

I think I would try to go with the better earrings for a while. I kind of like the full year thing. Just wanted to say that there are some really cute plastic post earrings online, and those might be a good option.

[mpm]

May 18, 2023 14:40:49 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

DD1 just got her ears pierced three weeks ago. We did it at a jewelers and he said no “fashion earrings” for a full year. He said gold for the first six months and then we can try sterling silver.

My daughter is a few weeks away from being able to change her newly pierced earrings and this is what we were going to do.

[jobae1234]

Claire’s does have a line of “higher end” earrings that are 18k gold and 925 sterling silver, supposedly hypoallergenic. My very sensitive skin kid has handled them fine so far. It’s the dark purple packaging. Like $17/pair and we just did a buy 3 get 3 promo and stocked up.

[redheadk]

We've been on a journey with DD's ear piercings. She's had her ears pierced 3 times for just the main hole.

The first time we did it at a place like Claires. Took care of them, let her wear whatever after the recommended time had passed. Her ears were super sensitive and we ended up letting them close up because one started to get infected.

The 2nd and 3rd times, we had them done at a piercing studio (like a tattoo shop but they only offer piercings... same health regulations though). This was SO much better. The needle piercings healed quickly and they only use implant grade titanium earrings. Her 2nd piercing closed up because she took her earrings out at school only 2 months after she got them pierced and I didn't realize it for a few days. I made her keep the 3rd (and final mom-financed piercing) time earrings in for 4 months. She can wear any earrings now without any issues but doesn't wear them overnight unless they are one of her titanium pairs.

So, TLDR, some people have sensitive ears but be sure you also use the correct earrings while they are healing and give them a ton of time to heal before trying fashion earrings.

[waverly]

I am sensitive and I figured I am allergic to nickel.

I get the ones labeled hypoallergenic.

[IndiaInk]

I am extremely sensitive too. Interesting that you bring this up because I was actually just thinking about this same topic the other day, and wondering how I'd proceed for my daughter when she's ready to get her ears pierced someday.
I recently placed an order from Rowan for myself...I think I stumbled upon them on a social media ad. All their earrings are hypoallergenic and I've been super impressed with the quality. They seem to be geared toward the younger demographic and have lots of fun studs that might be along the lines of what your child is looking for! heyrowan.com/collections/studs

[lo]

I was very sensitive as a kid but I can now wear most fashion earrings for a bit without it bothering me.

I got the gold earrings at Claire’s for my girls when they got pierced just in case and only let them wear gold for a year and it was fine. They wear the sensitive line now and so far so good.

[tiki]

It's specifically nickel I react to as well. Before I gave up and let my piercings close, I could only ever tolerate earrings that were guaranteed nickel-free.

[winemaker06]

We were allowed to change DD’s titanium earring fronts after 6 months, and at 11 months, I let her try the higher-end Claire’s sterling silver when we had to take them out for soccer games anyway. She couldn’t sleep in anything but the titanium though, because the posts are long and annoying.
Otherwise none of them seem to bother her more than others, but it has been over 1.5 years now and she still has a bump on the back of one ear that the piercer says is common, likely bacterial, and worsened by having wet hair against it after showers and stuff. But it itches and bugs her occasionally so we stick with titanium only to not introduce any more problems.

[fortnightlily]

Simply Whispers and Blomdahl are other brands that advertise their materials as nickel-free and have designs for kids.

14k yellow gold and implant-grade titanium are both supposed to be less reactive and suitable for wearing in the pool, shower, etc. 316L stainless steel works for a lot of people too.

925 sterling silver is fine for some people, but may be more prone to tarnishing.

You want to avoid anything that doesn't state it is nickel-free. Avoid plated brass.

[joy]

I would stick with 14K+ gold for a few months then let her explore. Only one way to find out if cheap earrings work for her.

[stemmie]

I keep her in higher end 14K gold or Sterling silver for a year and then let her play with "fun" surgical stainless steel after. Once she's wearing seasonal earrings, watch closely and consider one day in and the next back to gold or silver.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I'm actually allergic to gold, so I have issues with most earrings. I haven't tried the plastic ones, but I probably should. But anyway, I can wear even the cheap fashion ones for short periods of time, I just can't leave them in for long periods (I posted before about how the ear piercing I had one when I was really little lasted, but the ones I had done as a teen all had issues and closed up as soon as I tried to change the earrings). But my dd got hers pierced at 5 and doesn't have any problems with any earrings so far. So maybe yours will get lucky!

[kitty]

May 18, 2023 18:06:16 GMT -5 IndiaInk said:

I am extremely sensitive too. Interesting that you bring this up because I was actually just thinking about this same topic the other day, and wondering how I'd proceed for my daughter when she's ready to get her ears pierced someday.
I recently placed an order from Rowan for myself...I think I stumbled upon them on a social media ad. All their earrings are hypoallergenic and I've been super impressed with the quality. They seem to be geared toward the younger demographic and have lots of fun studs that might be along the lines of what your child is looking for! heyrowan.com/collections/studs

We are actually going to a Rowan for the piercing so I can check out some of the earrings while we are there. I’m glad to hear you’ve been happy with them!

[kitty]

May 18, 2023 14:32:39 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

I have no idea but I am nearly 40 and even solid gold, platinum, sterling silver, etc, cause me to have reactions when I wear earrings. It sucks.

That’s a bummer . I’m luckily always fine with gold and usually with silver. I usually wear small gold hoops 24/7 and everything else I limit to just a few hours at a time.

[kitty]

May 18, 2023 15:45:29 GMT -5 jobae1234 said:

Claire’s does have a line of “higher end” earrings that are 18k gold and 925 sterling silver, supposedly hypoallergenic. My very sensitive skin kid has handled them fine so far. It’s the dark purple packaging. Like $17/pair and we just did a buy 3 get 3 promo and stocked up.

Thanks! I had no idea that they carried a higher end line.

[kitty]

May 18, 2023 17:11:54 GMT -5 redheadk said:

We've been on a journey with DD's ear piercings. She's had her ears pierced 3 times for just the main hole.

The first time we did it at a place like Claires. Took care of them, let her wear whatever after the recommended time had passed. Her ears were super sensitive and we ended up letting them close up because one started to get infected.

The 2nd and 3rd times, we had them done at a piercing studio (like a tattoo shop but they only offer piercings... same health regulations though). This was SO much better. The needle piercings healed quickly and they only use implant grade titanium earrings. Her 2nd piercing closed up because she took her earrings out at school only 2 months after she got them pierced and I didn't realize it for a few days. I made her keep the 3rd (and final mom-financed piercing) time earrings in for 4 months. She can wear any earrings now without any issues but doesn't wear them overnight unless they are one of her titanium pairs.

So, TLDR, some people have sensitive ears but be sure you also use the correct earrings while they are healing and give them a ton of time to heal before trying fashion earrings.

I hope the third time is the charm and they are good for her long term.

[kitty]

May 19, 2023 7:04:18 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

I'm actually allergic to gold, so I have issues with most earrings. I haven't tried the plastic ones, but I probably should. But anyway, I can wear even the cheap fashion ones for short periods of time, I just can't leave them in for long periods (I posted before about how the ear piercing I had one when I was really little lasted, but the ones I had done as a teen all had issues and closed up as soon as I tried to change the earrings). But my dd got hers pierced at 5 and doesn't have any problems with any earrings so far. So maybe yours will get lucky!

I’m hoping she has whatever genes my sister has lol. She jokes around that her ears are bulletproof and she could wear a rusty safety pin and they wouldn’t get irritated. My mom and I are jealous!

[luckystar2]

I think most places have nicer earrings they use for actual piercings and you keep those in for a while.

I had issues when I was a kid with cheap earrings. When I was older I can wear whatever. I will get some tingling/sensitivity with cheap ones but no actual reaction that you can see/cause issues. I generally just wear fashion earrings for short periods of time and nicer ones if longer.

My dd got her ears pierced and I didn’t really think about it. I got her a ton of fun cheap earrings and she never had issues.

[tacokick]

Comfy Earrings are surgical steel, great to sleep in and come in cute holiday designs

comfyearrings.com


They don’t always have the holidays in stock but they do closer to the holiday!

[jobae1234]

May 19, 2023 8:09:44 GMT -5 kitty said:

May 18, 2023 15:45:29 GMT -5 jobae1234 said:

Claire’s does have a line of “higher end” earrings that are 18k gold and 925 sterling silver, supposedly hypoallergenic. My very sensitive skin kid has handled them fine so far. It’s the dark purple packaging. Like $17/pair and we just did a buy 3 get 3 promo and stocked up.

Thanks! I had no idea that they carried a higher end line.

I wanted to come back and report that actually it looks like she did have an allergic reaction to them. Sorry I led you astray! Cannot recommend them.

[kitty]

May 25, 2023 9:58:03 GMT -5 jobae1234 said:

May 19, 2023 8:09:44 GMT -5 kitty said:

Thanks! I had no idea that they carried a higher end line.

I wanted to come back and report that actually it looks like she did have an allergic reaction to them. Sorry I led you astray! Cannot recommend them.

Thanks for the update! Sorry your DD reacted

I had been paralyzed with indecision and hadn't bought anything yet but this served as my kick in the pants to do so.

I ended up ordering her 3 titanium pairs, 2 from Blomdahl and 1 from Simply Whispers. Luckily, the minimums are low enough that I could try both companies and still get free shipping.

I also ordered a set of bare titanium ear hooks from Blomdahl that are meant for retrofitting your other jewelry. I'm excited to try them since I have a pair of earrings that DD bought me years ago at her school holiday boutique that I usually suffer through a couple of times a year so she can see me wear them. I'm hoping I can easily update the hook part with the titanium and wear them without being swollen and itchy the next day!

[fortnightlily]

Hope they work out! I got two holes on each ear pierced about six months ago (had them pierced two separate times as a kid but let them close up). I don't have metal allergies/sensitivities that I know of, but it took a long time to feel like these holes fully healed. I still get a little lymph/crusting to this day. But I'm also a side sleeper so I think that just doesn't help. Anyway, I think I have perused just about every earring brand on the planet, my Pinterest board is huge.

Tinilux.com is also a good source of titanium jewelry, its just a bit more expensive and I'd say most of the styles are more suitable for adults.

If down the line you figure she can expand beyond titanium, In Season Jewelry has lots of seasonal kids designs, too. They claim their materials are nickel-free, but they're still alloys. www.inseasonjewelry.com/pages/jewelry-materials