I got my ear pierced about a month ago.  Just recently, it
started to bleed and the tissue around the hole is a little red,
signs of a minor infection.  Someone told me that to prevent an
infection, one must use a gold stud or ring.  Is there any truth
to this?

-fm

I had my ears pierced last summer, and this is what I was told to do:

-keep the gold studs in for 4-6 weeks;
-clean the lobes with rubbing {*filter*} every morning and evening;
-turn the stud at various times during the day (this prevents the
  tissue from adhering to the metal post);
-if the area becomes red, itchy, painful, remove the stud and dip
  the post in some antiseptic like Neosporin and replace, twirling
  the stud to ensure even distribution of the cream.

As to materials, metal allergies are very common and I'd recommend
sticking to gold or surgical steel posts and wires.  

The licensed cosmetician who did my piercing explained why it was
important that the metal you wear in the hole as it's healing be
gold, but unfortunately I can't remember what he told me.  Probably
that gold is a very pure metal and less likely to cause irritation
and infection.  

--Barbara

All these precautions are good, but individual body chemistry varies. If
it turns out you're prone to infected/irritated ears, you're probably going
to get them anyway.

I got my ears pierced in college, (unspecified number, > 20) years ago,
by another girl in the dorm who did it with a darning needle and an ice
cube, in exchange for a pack of cigarettes.  From that day to this I've
never had an infection in them or anything else apart from the occasional
pimple. I can wear any kind of earrings including the cheapest ones.
 My best friend, on the other hand, has always been careful to
wear only 14K gold earrings and has taken very good care of her ears, but
they're almost continually scabby and irritated.
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Some people have good luck with stainless steel posts, too.  My ears have
been pierced for over a decade too (I'm also a darning needle alumna).
I'm pretty lucky, I can wear "cheap" earrings for several hours at a time
but can't leave them in overnight or I get itchy breakouts.  14kt gold or
stainless steel posts never give me a problem though.

--

                    The George Washington University    (202) 994-6853          

In the ongoing discussion on pierced ears and the kinds of earrings that people
can wear, I should like to contribute a small observation. Is it possible that
people have more trouble with "cheap" earrings not only because of the metal
that they are made of, but because of the quality of the posts as well?
Earrings made of sterling and real gold would tend to be of higher quality than
the "four pairs for 99 cents" version. The posts would be smoother, causing
less abrasion and irritation to the wearer. I, too, can wear cheaper earrings,
but only for a limited time. Sterling and high quality gold I can wear
indefinatly.

--Anne-Marie Rousseau
Seattle, WA