Earrings can sometimes cause pain or discomfort when touched. There are a few potential reasons why this may happen:
New piercings
If you’ve recently gotten your ears pierced, it’s normal for them to be sore and sensitive as they heal. Piercings can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks to fully heal. During this time, it’s common for earrings to hurt if bumped or touched while the piercing is still fresh.
Some key things to remember with new piercings:
- Keep the area clean by spraying with saline solution 1-2 times per day.
- Avoid touching, turning or removing earrings until healed.
- Use only high quality earrings made of implant-grade metals during healing.
- Expect some pain, redness and discharge as part of the normal healing process.
Be patient and give new piercings time to heal. The pain and tenderness should gradually subside over the first few weeks as long as proper aftercare is followed.
Allergic reaction
In some cases, pain from earrings can be caused by a metal allergy or sensitivity. Nickel is one of the most common metal allergens found in cheaper jewelry.
Signs of a potential allergic reaction include:
- Itching, redness or swelling around the earring site
- Warmth, burning or soreness when earrings are touched
- Crusty, oozing or irritated skin around the piercing
- Increase in pain when wearing earrings
If you suspect an allergy, try switching to earrings made of hypoallergenic metals like surgical steel, titanium or niobium. Solid gold earrings may also be an option for those without nickel sensitivities. Avoid costume jewelry and other mystery metal earrings.
If symptoms persist, visit your doctor who may suggest allergy testing or prescribe topical steroids or antihistamines to reduce inflammation.
Infection
Ear piercings can become infected, most commonly by bacteria entering the puncture site. Signs of an infected piercing include:
- Pus-like discharge
- Thick crust or scabbing around the jewelry
- Red, swollen, warm skin around the piercing
- Fever or chills
- Intense throbbing pain that persists or worsens over time
See your doctor if an infection is suspected – antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection. Keeping the area dry and avoiding touching or removing the earring can also help prevent infection.
Cysts or keloids
Cysts are fluid-filled lumps that can form around piercings. Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue. Both can lead to localized pain when earrings are touched or changed.
Cysts may resolve on their own over time. Warm compresses can help encourage drainage. Keloids may require medical procedures like steroid injections or minor surgery for removal if they grow very large.
Jewelry issues
Certain earring types or improper jewelry sizes can increase pain risk:
- Heavy earrings – Pulling from the weight on new or unhealed piercings
- Loose-fitting – Movement causes irritation and friction
- Tight-fitting – Restricts circulation putting pressure on the piercing
- Rough clasps or backings – Can snag or scratch skin
- Poor quality metals – More likely to corrode, irritate or provoke reaction
Ensure earrings fit properly and are suitable for healed or unhealed piercings. Well-fitted flatback labrets or small lightweight hoops are best for new piercings. Properly sized studs or huggie earrings work well for most healed piercings.
Trauma or injury
Bumping, pulling on or trauma to an earring can damage the tissue and cause pain. Things like getting your earring caught on your sweater during removal or sleeping on that side can cause injury and irritation.
Be gentle when putting in and taking out earrings. Allow any torn or damaged tissue time to heal. Keep earrings in for prolonged periods to avoid repeated irritation from frequent jewelry changes.
Conclusion
Earrings that hurt to touch are usually due to an underlying issue like new piercings, allergies, infection or jewelry problems. With some care and patience, most causes can be resolved and pain prevented. See your doctor if significant or worsening symptoms develop for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Possible Reasons Why Earrings May Hurt When Touched
New Piercings
Ear piercings take time to heal fully. During the healing period, it’s common for earrings to be sore and sensitive when touched or changed. Give new piercings adequate time to heal before wearing heavy or irritating earrings.
Allergic Reaction
Some people have metal allergies, often to nickel. This can cause redness, itching, swelling, and pain. Switching to hypoallergenic earrings may provide relief.
Infection
Infections are usually caused by bacteria entering the puncture site. This leads to discharge, swelling, and throbbing pain around the earring. See a doctor for antibiotics.
Cysts or Keloids
Cysts are fluid-filled lumps while keloids are overgrown scar tissue. Both can commonly form around piercings, leading to localized pain.
Jewelry Issues
Heavy, loose, tight, or low quality earrings can all cause pain and irritation. Ensure earrings are suitable for healed or unhealed piercings.
Trauma
Bumping, catching, or pulling earrings can damage and irritate the piercing. Be gentle when changing jewelry. Allow injured tissue time to heal.
Tips for Relieving Earring Pain and Discomfort
If your earrings are causing you pain, here are some tips that may help provide relief:
Allow new piercings time to heal
– It takes 4-12 weeks for piercings to fully heal. Avoid touching or changing earrings during this time.
– Clean piercings daily with saline spray or solution.
– Expect some tenderness, redness, and discharge at first.
Change your earrings
– Switch to lightweight, comfortable earrings during healing period.
– Try hypoallergenic metals like titanium if you suspect metal sensitivity.
– Ensure earrings are proper fitting – not too tight, loose or heavy.
Practice good earring hygiene
– Wash hands before handling earrings.
– Disinfect earrings and piercings regularly.
– Avoid touching, twisting or bumping jewelry.
See your doctor if needed
– Seek medical treatment for signs of infection or severe reaction.
– Discuss persistent cysts or keloids with your doctor.
– Get allergy testing done if metal sensitivity is suspected.
Allow injured piercings time to heal
– Leave earrings in for prolonged periods if trauma occurs.
– Use warm compresses and over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
– Keep the area clean while waiting for damaged tissue to heal.
With proper care, most causes of earring pain and discomfort can be resolved. See your piercer or doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.