Finding the best earrings for sensitive ears can make all the difference when it comes to finishing touches. But when your accessory set hits a painful snag, some skip the hassle of earrings altogether. Makes sense: Have you ever bought a cute brand of affordable jewelry and found the perfect pair of earrings only to see them turn your lobes into an itchy red, swollen mess? Zero pleasure. And jewelry is often the culprit.
So what makes ears so sensitive (for some more than others)? We called in the experts to help us fix our sensitive ear issue in hopes of showing piercings again. Read on for their expert advice, as well as some of our top picks to grab.
Best Earrings for Sensitive Ears 2023:
What makes ears sensitive to touch?
For starters, this is a tricky area. The skin on the earlobes tends to be thinner, like the skin on the eyelids and lips, making them more prone to irritation or allergic reactions, says Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Additionally, “ears are particularly at risk for allergic reactions to jewelry because earrings are affixed directly against the skin and remain in place for long periods of time,” adds a New York-based board-certified dermatologist. Joshua Zeichner, MD
What you’re experiencing is likely allergic contact dermatitis, or ACD, which is “a form of eczema characterized by dry, pink or red, itchy patches on the skin caused by exposure to certain chemicals – in this case , various metals found in jewelry”. Marchbein explains.
She warns that anyone can develop an allergy or sensitivity to a skincare product or its ingredients at any time, even if they have used it in the past without a problem. “That said, there’s generally a greater risk for those with dry, sensitive skin, asthma, and allergies,” she says. “The results are repeatable and occur whenever a predisposed or sensitive person comes into contact with the chemical or metal to which they are allergic.”
What to avoid in earrings for sensitive ears
Put on your Sherlock hat here, because first you need to figure out what’s bothering you. Experts point out that various metals (including gold and cobalt) can cause a reaction. The correct way to assess a metal allergy is to perform a patch test, but it are certain materials that tend to appear to be particularly problematic.