Finding the best earrings for sensitive ears can make a world of difference when it comes to final touches. But when your accessories game hits a painful snag, some avoid the hassle of earrings altogether. Makes sense: Ever shopped a cute affordable jewelry brand—and found—the perfect pair of earrings only to watch them turn your lobes into an itching, red, swollen mess? Zero fun. And the jewelry is often the culprit.
So what is it that makes ears so sensitive (for some more than others)? We tapped experts to help us work through our sensitive-ear situation in hopes of flaunting piercings once again. Read on for their expert advice, along with some of our top picks to snap up.
Best Earrings for Sensitive Ears 2023:
What makes ears sensitive to touch?
For starters, it’s a delicate area. The skin of the earlobes tends to be thinner, like the skin of 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. Plus, “the ears are particularly at risk for allergic reactions to jewelry because earrings are set directly against the skin and remain in place for extended periods,” adds 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, itchy pink or red patches on the skin caused by exposure to certain chemicals—in this case various metals found in jewelry,” explains Marchbein.
She cautions that anyone can develop an allergy or sensitivity to a skin-care product or its ingredients at any time, even if they’ve used it in the past without issue. “That said, there tends to be a greater risk for those who suffer from dry sensitive skin, asthma, and allergies,” she says. “The results are reproducible and occur anytime a predisposed or sensitive person comes into contact with the chemical or metal they are allergic to.”
What to avoid in earrings for sensitive ears
Put on your Sherlock hat here, because you first need to figure out what’s bothering you. Experts point out that various metals (including gold and cobalt) can cause a reaction. The proper way to assess a metal allergy is through a patch test, but there are certain materials that tend to pop up as being particularly problematic.
