earlobe infections?

I have had my ears pierced forever (since i was like 1) and my ears are SUPER sensitive. If i wear any earrings that aren't 100% gold or platinum my ears blow up and get infected. it is really annoying and crazy b/c i love jewelry but can't really buy different kinds of earrings b/c the backs are always plated or fake or whatever...

so NO silver

NO gold plated

NO fake

SUCKS

many years ago my dad bought me a couple pairs of solid platinum hoops to cycle through so i didnt have to worry about the earring thing and knew the backs were ok. i have been wearing them with no problem for years and all the sudden a couple of months ago my ears started getting infected and blowing up - from my platinum earrings. i don't know what to do next or why this is happening but i wear these hoops everyday and feel so naked without them.

has this happened to anyone? any advice? this is such a bummer

(and yes i have cleaned them multiple times thoroughly with alcohol and soap and everything)

Ahhh I have this same problem...I wear "fake" earrings a lot because I can't afford to buy all gold earrings, but I have to take them out when I go to sleep or work out or anything like that. If I am good about this, they don't flare up, but every once in a while they still do and then I can't wear anything for DAYS. My earlobes get bright red and swollen and hurt...

I don't really have any advice, except maybe to take them out as much as you can, clean them, and ideally, buy the real stuff

Maybe the platinum earrings you have are wearing down or something? Weird...

Did you happen to change any type of hair products? I know sometimes if I use cheapo hair stuff and wear my hair down alot my ears bother me.

you can use hydrocortisone ointment on your ears when you have a reaction - it sounds like an allergic reaction so this will bring down the swelling/redness -

I also have sensitive ears and have to avoid nickel. I've tried this a few times and it's worked for me...brush clear nail polish on the post or any part that touches your ear. You'll need to repeat frequently as it wears away. I'm not sure if this will irritate your ears more? Sounds like your ears are a bit more sensitive. Good luck!

I got my ears pierced when I was 5 and I remember (like it was yesterday) sitting on my Mom's lap and her taking these earrings out and my earlobes just bleeding like crazy. I guess they were cheap earrings and they caused an infection. Ever since then, I have always had infected earlobes. I can't afford the expensive earrings, so I mainly just wear them when I am getting fancy and usually end up taking them out before the night is over because they are burning.

Sometimes they are fine and don't bother me, other times I can't last 5 minutes with them in...I don't know how to explain it, I hope you figure it out so you can wear your hoops...just know you aren't alone!!

idk but does platinum need to be replated or redipped? (like white gold does with rhodium?)

maybe you need to have them redone??

I was just getting ready to post a similar issue. I have the same problem you do, so I always wear platinum posts, backings and rings.

NOW my ring finger has a rash like contact dermatitis from my platinum ring that I have been wearing for a year. Just all of a sudden a rash. Sounds like the same thing you're going through. The only thing I can think of is that recently I had a rash from using Bounce w/ Frebreeze dryer sheets for almost 3 weeks. Once that rash went away this new issue popped up. I hope someone knows something so we can get over this!