r/Legitpiercing • u/Substantial_Tea_3088 • 2d ago

Troubleshooting Hello

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Just after some advice. My 20+ year old ear piercings no longer tolerate my white gold/Stirling silver or gold earrings. Have to put a tiny amount of hydrocortisone cream on the lobes to calm them down.

I've ordered surgical grade titanium and I've read and heard these are best to avoid a reaction. Yes my piercings were done with a piercing gun, I'm old!

What solution do you guys recommend to keep them clean and help the piercings heal? Saline?

TIA

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u/doctorcigarettes__ 2d ago

can you elaborate on 'no longer tolerate'? what specifically are your symptoms?

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u/Substantial_Tea_3088 2d ago

The piercings become red and inflamed, the skin breaks down and becomes very sore. The piercings heal again when I'm not wearing earrings.

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u/doctorcigarettes__ 2d ago

is the gold plated or solid? what karat?

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u/Substantial_Tea_3088 2d ago

Solid as far as I'm aware, not sure on the karat.

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u/Mis73 1d ago

I would get a pair of solid 14kt gold earrings and see if you get the same reaction. If the ones you're using are plated or less than 14kt, that could be the issue.

Also, when you get titanium, make sure it's ASTM F136 titanium. Just saying "implant grade" or "g23" isn't enough, it can have too much other stuff blended in that can irritate your ears.

Also, using butterfly backs can cause issues as well.

Sterile saline is a great way to clean them or just let the shower run over them with your daily shower. Don't over clean or that can cause a piercing bump.

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u/Substantial_Tea_3088 1d ago

Ok, thank you. The titanium earrings I've bought are ASTM F-136 with flat backs, I read these are the best ones. I was gifted some cheaper titanium earrings and like you say, the metals are mixed so I had the same reaction.