Have you ever experienced pain and redness
from wearing earrings? It might be a symptom of an ear infection, an allergy to
metal like nickel or the earring is too tight, cutting circulation to the ear
lobe.
Most earrings, other than dangles, are a
two-part system: the post and the back. While we like to fault the earring for
our red ears, typically it is the back to blame when our earrings are
uncomfortable. In this article, we’ll show you the types of earring backs and
how to relieve any unpleasant symptoms.
Types of Earring Backs
Screw Backs – These are earring backs that
screw on rather than push onto the post. The earring post has threads, so the
backing must be rotated like a nut onto a bolt.
Pros: A
secure option of fastening your earrings. Like any nut and bolt, you must
make sure the screw is always tight.
Cons: Screw
backs provide a false sense of security, thinking that they can never loosen or
fall off. They can easily be overtightened, causing a loss of blood flow.
Because the posts require threads, they are thicker and may be uncomfortable
for some people.
The threads on the post can wear out over
time, and the backs will not hold. Also, you need steady hands to put them on
and to take off.
La Pousette Backs – The most intricate type
of earring back is La Pousette. It is a disc with two tabs. You pinch the tabs
to open the hole in the center and slip it onto the post. Releasing the tabs
causes spring tension to grip the post and hold the earring in place.
Pros: These
earring backs offer the security of screw backs due to a safety notch on the
post, and the convenience of friction-type backs.
Cons: These
earring backs can be the most expensive type and a bit difficult if you have
big fingers.
Friction Backs – Also known as push backs
or butterfly backs, these are the most common type. Friction backs use tension
to grip the earring post. They have two curled edges that you pinch together to
insert over the post. The post usually has a safety notch at the end to catch
the backing should it slip down.
When purchasing, look for thicker, heavier
metal. They are more secure and will last much longer than lighter types.
Pros: Easy
to use. You slide the earring back onto the earring post until it comfortably
touches your earlobe.
Cons: As
with any spring, they eventually lose their tension and can fall off.
Can Earring Backs Cause Ear Problems?
The space between the earring
back and your ear can harbor yeast and bacteria. Even if you wash behind
your ears, they will continue to grow yucky, smelly stuff behind your ears. As
a daily routine, you should remove your earring backs and sanitize both the
earrings and your ears to prevent infection.
Also, by jamming on the backs too tight,
you can cause pain in your earlobes due to poor circulation. It helps to leave
an “air gap” to ensure comfort and avoid infection. That’s why you need a
quality earring back that will hold the post in place without needing to press
it tightly against your ear.
Another problem can be the metal. Many
earring backs contain nickel. Nickel is known to cause an allergic reaction in
people with sensitive skin. A nickel allergy can occur from the first time you
wear an earring during childhood, or after many years of wearing them. If you
have an allergy to nickel, you’ll need to purchase nickel-free alternatives.
What Earring Back is Best for You?
At Blomdahl USA, we’ve crafted three types
of earring backs that are high-quality and nickel-free:
1. Titanium
2. Medical Grade
Plastic
3. Titanium with Large
Plastic Discs
Titanium is a durable metal that holds its
spring tension for years. They fit any of our titanium
earrings and many other earring styles, as well.
Medical Grade plastic is lightweight,
comfortable, and easy to clean. These medical plastic earring backs fit our
entire line of medical plastic earrings. They leave a slight gap between the
ear and the back to allow for proper air circulation.
The third type of erring back that we offer
is for larger earrings. The titanium center holds the post firmly while the
plastic disc increases the support around the post allowing for a more
comfortable fit for large, heavy earrings.
Earring holes and the back of your ear
require proper hygiene and earrings that fit properly. Always ensure you choose
quality backs that allow for adequate air circulation, grip the earring firmly,
and are nickel-free.
Ten articles before and after
Important Decisions to Make When You Decide to Pierce Your Ears | CHURINGA EARRINGS
Thriving Despite a Nickel Allergy | CHURINGA EARRINGS
But WHY Is Metal Choice So Important for Pierced Earrings? | CHURINGA EARRINGS
Cost Doesn’t Need to Limit Your Earring Wardrobe | CHURINGA EARRINGS
What is medical ear piercing and who is doing it? | CHURINGA EARRINGS
The Safest Hypoallergenic Earrings Are Not Stainless Steel | CHURINGA EARRINGS
Hypoallergenic Earrings With No Nickel | CHURINGA EARRINGS
Medical Plastic Earrings For Kids | CHURINGA EARRINGS