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Liquid Bandage Eases Earring Irritation

Newspaper Columns, Pharmacy Q&A August 20, 2007

Q. I have had pierced ears for over 25 years, yet I still can’t wear most of my earrings. After about an hour my earlobes itch and become red and swollen with certain pairs, even expensive ones.

A few weeks ago I purchased a generic form of liquid bandage for paper cuts and decided to try it on my earlobes. I applied the product to the back and front of my earlobes, let it dry, then inserted the earrings. I was able to wear them for 10 hours without itching, and when I removed them, my earlobes were not red.

I've tried this with pairs I always reacted to and gotten the same good results. The product flakes off easily after I take out the earrings.

A. Many people are sensitive to nickel, which is present in a lot of jewelry. Even expensive earrings may contain traces of nickel.

Another way to protect your ears from contact with the metal in your earrings is to coat the posts or wires with clear nail polish. This can also be done with rings.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.org.