What Are Hypoallergenic Earrings?

What Are Hypoallergenic Earrings?

If you have sensitive skin, you may find that your ears get irritated if you wear certain earrings. This can be annoying, and it can also cause them to become red, sore, and itchy. They may even bleed in some cases. You will need to stop wearing the earrings that are causing the problem and switch to some hypoallergenic ones instead.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

Hypoallergenic earrings are said to cause fewer allergic reactions. However, this does not completely eliminate the risk of skin irritation because a manufacturer is allowed to call earrings hypoallergenic in the U.S. without having to adhere to any set standards. It is not a term that is used in the medical world; however, you will often see it used in advertising as manufacturers want us to believe that their products are better than others that are available on the market. If you have sensitive skin, it may be a good idea to try a few different types of earrings to see which ones are best suited to your skin.

Nickel-Free Earrings

If you have sensitive ears, there is a good chance that you are allergic to the nickel in the earrings. It is therefore a good idea to choose earrings that are nickel-free, such as these Roman Inspired Hoop Earrings, as your ears are very unlikely to react to these.

Nickel-free earrings will be better for sensitive ears than ones that advertise themselves as being hypoallergenic. Although hypoallergenic earrings are unlikely to contain any nickel on the surface, this metal could still be used underneath. Your earrings could get scratched or tarnished over time, and this could expose your ears to the underlying nickel. You may have noticed this if you have had a pair of earrings that seem okay when you wear them at first, but your ears start becoming sore once you have worn them several times. This is because the nickel in your earrings is now reacting with your skin.

It is best to stay away from gold or silver earrings if you have sensitive ears. These metals look great and can be expensive, so some people assume that they will be naturally hypoallergenic. However, gold and silver are too soft to turn into jewelry in their purest form, and the metals will need to be added to other materials, such as nickel, to make them hard enough to use for making earrings. As a result, gold and silver earrings can still trigger allergic reactions despite the metals themselves not being allergenic.

Titanium

Titanium is a lightweight metal that contains hypoallergenic properties. It is highly inert, which means that it is less likely to react to bodily fluids such as sweat. This minimizes the risk of corrosion and makes them kinder to your ears if they are sensitive.. Titanium is often used by surgeons for pinning bones together because it does not react with the body. It is safe enough to be used inside the body and outside of it. This makes earrings such as these Bow Tassel Earrings perfect for sensitive ears.

Surgical Steel

Most people who have problems wearing metal earrings find that they can wear surgical steel with ease. It is used for its safety in medical procedures. Surgical steel does contain a small amount of nickel, but its low carbon content creates a bond with the nickel that means it isn’t released into the skin.

This is a great material for earrings because it is a very durable metal, which means that your jewelry will stay looking newer for longer. Stainless steel posts, like those on these Blue Kyocera Opal & 18k Gold Plated Earrings, are exceptionally good for sensitive ears as it is the post that will go through your ear and cause the most irritation.

Niobium

Niobium is a pure metal rather than an alloy, which means that it is always nickel-free. It is an inert metal that does not react with the human body and is naturally non-allergenic. Its color can be changed without the manufacturer needing to add any foreign or reactive materials, keeping it 100% natural even after processing. The fact that it doesn’t need any plating or coating means that there is no material to tarnish and cause irritation to the wearer.

These are the best materials to wear if you have sensitive ears and need a metal that won’t cause irritation. You should not continue to wear earrings that cause you problems. Instead, switch to a pair made with material that you can wear without causing issues. If skin irritation problems persist, it is best to consult your doctor.