The People's Pharmacy® with Joe and Terry Graedon

I had an almost identical situation. Two dermatologists suggested a nickel allergy. Yet, even nickel-free earrings did not work. Finally, the second dermatologist did a skin patch test. It turns out I am not allergic to nickel, but I am allergic to polymyxin and bacitracin, the ingredients in antibiotic ointments. So when my ears first became irritated (initial reason unknown), I applied Neosporin, which caused an allergice reaction. Then I was caught in a loop of almost constant irritation and only partial healing. So I stopped the Neosporin and allowed my ears to heal. I have not had any problems for over a year.

I dip the earring post or wire into Hydrocortisone Ointment and then have no irration.

I buy all my jewelry from Simply Whispers.com, which makes a large assortment of nickel-free jewelry. I also have to wear eyeglasses made from titanium or else I get blisters anywhere the frames touch my skin.

I poke the wire or post into a tube of Neosporin (or a topical antibiotic a person is not allergic to) or into a bar of soap. Also, I give special attention to ear lobes when shampooing my hair and washing my face.

I too suffer when I wear earrings, regardless of whether they are my most expensive pair or not. Lately, I have been cleaning my earlobes and posts with alcohol, then "dipping" the posts into Diprolene gel (a synthetic cortisone-like steroid). Works great and stops the itching and inflammation.

My pierced ears would never heal and were constantly infected and itchy. An old woman told me to try using olive oil to heal them. I used the olive oil, and my ears healed quickly and have never been infected since.

I put a little Cortaid on the earring posts. This completely solved the irritation problem for me. I've never had a problem since a friend gave me this good advice.