When you first purchase a pair of earrings, you may have wondered if you should keep them in for a few weeks before you wear them. This is a good question because you do not want to get allergic to the nickel in the earring. In addition, you should clean the post and earlobe holes before you wear them. If you do not follow these rules, you might end up removing your earrings prematurely.
1. Avoid Premature Earring Removal
Premature earring removal is a big no-no. The risk of introducing bacteria into a wound that has not fully healed is real. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help you avoid this unfortunate situation.
First, get a good pair of clean ear piercing scissors. Second, sanitize your hands. Finally, use a good aftercare solution. This will help keep you from getting infections and other nasties.
It's a good idea to find out if your earrings are made of surgical steel or gold. If the latter, you may need to hold on to them for a while to ensure they don't fall out of your ears. Another good rule of thumb is to keep your earring in your ear for a few hours before removing them. After all, a snagged earring can do serious damage if it falls out.
Lastly, be sure to wear your earrings regularly. Not doing so can lead to a host of problems. While you're at it, lubricate your ear with a good aftercare solution. You should also have a good pair of pliers on hand. Of course, you should never try to force your earring into your ear canal. In some cases, this is a recipe for disaster.
2. Clean the Earring Post and Earlobe Holes
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to removing earring studs. Some experts recommend switching to a different earring after about six weeks. Others believe that if you leave the earrings in for longer than that, you risk them closing.
The piercing needs to have some room to breathe. You should also avoid putting too much pressure on the earring back. This can damage the earlobe. Putting the post in at the wrong angle can scratch the ear channel, which can lead to a tear in the ear.
It is also a good idea to clean your ears with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol kills most bacteria and fungi. Benzalkonium chloride is a sterile ear piercing solution available at most drugstores.
Once you've cleaned your ears, you can remove the earring. If you cannot get it out, you might want to consider enlisting the help of a friend.
You may also try applying a bit of vaseline to the ear itch. This will help to relieve the discomfort.
After you have removed your earrings, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. Dirty hands can transfer an infection to your baby.
Leaving your baby's earrings out for a day or two can cause holes to close. You should clean your child's ears daily during the first six weeks.
3. Avoid Nickel Allergy
The first step in avoiding nickel allergy is to understand how to care for your ears. You can also try some different remedies to relieve your symptoms.
When it comes to earrings, you want to choose hypoallergenic material to minimize your risk of developing an allergy. This means you need to avoid nickel-containing jewelry. Instead, you should look for stainless steel, titanium, or 14-karat gold.
If you have a nickel allergy, you should also avoid using a piercing gun. These tools can be dangerous and cause infections. It's best to enlist the services of a professional to pierce your ear.
During the healing process, it's important to wear earrings that have thick posts. These will help keep air circulating around your ear and allow your skin to heal properly.
A new piercing is also a good time to try medical grade plastic, which is less allergenic than metal. Using a proper piercing tool and lubricating your ear with a cotton swab are key steps.
After your ear piercing, you should wear your earrings for at least six weeks. Keeping your studs in can also help prevent an allergic reaction.
If your piercing is older, you might want to avoid wearing jewelry with nickel in it at all costs. If you do, however, you may develop an allergic reaction.