Ear Piercing

[magistra]

3 years ago at the age of 70 I had my ears pierced for the 1st time at Claire's. However I found it really difficult to put ear rings in, and gave up. So of course, the holes healed over. 18 months ago I had them done again at a local shop, and managed quite well, although it still took quite a while. The rings I found easiest to put in were cheap Asda hoops, so I tended to put these in 1st thing, then change to silver ones if I had time to fiddle about. Yesterday, I took out the cheap ones, and was rather alarmed when some crusty bits (metal?) came out out of the piercing. I tried for about 20 minutes to put in a silver ring, but as it was getting a bit sore I left it. So since yesterday I've not worn ear rings, and the sore lobe feels a bit lumpy, so I'm bathing it with saline and not attempting to put a ring in.
My questions are: Was it wearing cheap rings that caused the problem, how long should I wait before I get them pierced again, and should I go to Claire's again, or a tattooist? I'm determined not to give up entirely.

[Prudie]

It's quite common to get that with cheap earrings and would think it's the most likely reason, you are reacting to the cheap metals. when I had mine done years ago, it was advised that you wear a permanent stud or ring from 9ct gold or silver until the hole completely heals. It used to be 6 weeks, probably different now. as well as saline I'd advise rinsing with diluted dettol/savlon or cream as well. if you can bear it see if you can get some gold/silver sleepers in now rather than having another hole punching!

[rockyracoon]

I'd keep cleaning it for a couple of days and let any swelling go down, then gently try to put an earring in. I doubt very much that the hole has closed up, I don't wear earrings for months at a time and have never had a problem, maybe a bit of mild resistance but that's it.

Good luck

[kvalidir]

It happens quite often to me if I wear cheap earrings as said previously bathe it for a few days and then if you can get one, get a 'piercing earring' which is extra sharp and just gently ease it through your holes, they shouldn't have closed up so quickly and those go through really easily, then fins some gold ones if possible as they tend not to irritate ( me at least) so much:)

[DSJ]

I have to wear gold otherwise my ears turn nasty within hours. I have a cheap pair of gold hoops which l leave in overnight. I take them out every few days just to clean them.

[Retrochic]

Earrings with Surgical Steel posts, or solid silver are best if you are allergic. Gold has other metals in it,especially nickel and copper which are known allergens. Bathe your ears in only salted water especially avoid dettol or savlon which can make things worse. It could be wise to apply an anti-histamine cream to reduce inflammation.

[RATTER15]

I would always go to a professional piercer for any piercing!!

[magistra]

Thanks to everyone for your really helpful suggestions. What would I do without AB?

[Sycamore3House]

I had my ear pierced 37 years ago. I have only ever been able to wear gold or silver. Although for the last 10 years silver starts to get itchy within a couple of hours. I don't wear earrings all the time and this is because when my son was born 24 years ago he always used to play with my earrings. So I used to choose my times to wear them. I would really love to be able to wear the cheapy ones. Just go to a reputable piercer. Having said that my daughter did go to Claire's twice to get hers done.

[rockyracoon]

I'm allergic to a lot of metals so I've got replacement gold wires for dangly earrings and I put clear nail varnish over the posts of studs. Silver I'm ok with and stainless steel, anything else will bring my ears and neck out in lumps.

[pastafreak]

Ditto for what retrochic said. Silver should be sterling...not plated. Otherwise you have the potential problem of other metals being present. Other than that, stick to surgical steel.

[pastafreak]

I should have asked...why are you considering going to Claire's again? The hole can't have closed up yet. Just bathe it as others have said,and give it a chance to heal. Then get yourself some surgical steel studs and leave them in for a while.

[DSJ]

Yes, put in your original studs or sleepers until your ears settle down.

[carrust]

Where's the best place to go for a prince albert? ;-)

[Mamyalynne]

A piercer with sound credentials.

[paddywak]

I had my left ear pierced just over 50 yrs ago by the landlady of the Black Horse Whitby.She did it the old fashioned way with a couple of ice cubes, a darning needle and a shot of whisk(e)y, a dab of which went on the hole the rest down your neck.The piercing was free but she charged if I remember rightly 5/-(25p) for the whisk(e)y and a "gold" sleeper.Ive never had any problem and I wore the same sleeper for nearly 30 years till I took it out for a clean and one of my sisters kids lost it.