My poor ear lobes!

Sounds as if you might be allergic; unfortunately you might have developed an allergy to the metal in the years that you haven't been wearing earrings. Someone I know used to paint clear nail polish over the hooks, that seemed to work for her, and some stores (M and S was one ) sold earrings advertised as 'non allergic' metal - whatever that might be!

For those of you with nickel allergy, please tell your Dr if you are have a knee replacement as they have to give you special one.

Stick to earrings with surgical steel, gold or silver hooks to avoid allergies. Allergic reactions are usually due to nickel in the metal.

The problem is most likely caused because you haven't worn earrings for a long time, so the holes have become narrower than they were. Do you have a pair of sleepers, either rings you can turn all the way through the holes, or pins? If so, rub them in Vaseline to make it easier to get them into your ears and turn them three or four times a day, exactly as we did when the holes were new.

I had a similar problem and found if I put a tiny bit of antiseptic cream on the post they went in OK and no soreness. After a few days I didn't need the cream.

Hello, I make and sell jewellery including earrings.

I use sterling silver in the main for earring fittings as it is hypo allergenic. Although I'm not an expert in skin reactions to different metals, I don't used nickel at all.

If you haven't worn earrings for some time, it's possible you'll get a reaction to the metal even if you didn't react to them before.

If you feel the metal fittings are too big for the holes in your ears, you could change them for new ones and buy from companies that specialise in jewellery making supplies. A good one is 'Spoilt Rotten Beads'. You could visit a jeweller who could replace them, or find someone who can.

Just some thoughts - hope you'll be able to wear your jewellery again soon!

As you have not worn earrings for some time the holes in your ears have shrunk a little making your earrings feel a bit tight/uncomfortable. With regular wearing they will open up again, but take them out at night as the heat generated by a pillow could add to the problem. If your earrings are not Sterling Silver or Gold they may contain nickel which could irritate your skin, especially if the earrings are tight. You can get a protective liquid which you paint on to the ear wires, or try an antihistamine cream on your earlobes.

I recommend TCP on earrings before you wear them

I can only wear gold earrings but I always moisten the bit that goes through my lobe between my lips, (spit on it) it's always worked for me

I second the suggestion that you have developed an allergy that you did not previously suffer from. I used to be able to wear anything, but now find "costume" earrings irritate my ears.

Maybe the holes haven't closed completely, but have closed enough to make putting the rods through them difficult. Could you get your ears re-pierced?

Like several other posters, I use Germolene on the posts when I wear earrings. Certainly helps them to go in and stops any irritation I get from cheaper jewellery. Can recommend it, especially the one with a anaesthetic in it.

I am allergic to nickel too. I think sometimes if the earrings are old the surface of them has worn off and the nickel gets you. Treat yourself to some new earrings and see how you get on.

I used to wear earrings many years ago. The holes have now closed up as I stopped when earrings started making them irritated. Even clip ons now make my ears sore. I've tried all sorts from plastic to gold and nothing works.

All of the above.
I had my ears syringed recently [stay on, it IS relevant! ] and the nurse asked if the olive oil had helped clear them. No, I replied, just made my earrings slip in more easily!
Give ahndcream/moisturiser/olive oil a go... good luck

If you put ice cubes (or even frozen food pack) anything freezing cold against the pierced hole it re-opens and the ear ring will slip through easily.

It is possible to develop any allergy later in life. My Mum had to have her wedding ring platinum lined as she developed an allergy to gold of all things! I think nickel is regulated in jewellery these days, but if your earrings are a few years old its possible they still have nickel in them. I remember trying all of the above tips, nail varnish etc, but nothing ever worked for me. I just had to wear silver or nickel free. (can't afford gold!)

I had the same problem, having worn only diamond studs for years. Could only wear v lightweight gold dangly earrings for short periods. Gradually increased time they were in. Now I can wear them all the time. Hope that helps!

Helennonotion I had a small pair of hoop earrings which were gold and cost me less than £10 from a jeweller's in Bristol which was having a massive sale a few years ago
They were my 'every-day go-to' earrings - and now I've just lost one

Hello all, and thank you for the responses.

I used Gemolene yesterday, and it did seem to help, so I will carry on with that and see how it goes!

Jalimall08 Sorry to hear you lost an earring. You never know it might turn up inside a jumper or something! I did have some gorgeous white gold stud ones bought as a present once and lost one after about a month! I'm hopeless. I seem to be able to wear non silver/gold now, since the nickel restriction, thankfully. I can't do hoops though, I have curls. They get very tangled!

That's the second useful earring I've lost - perhaps I should wear an unmatching pair!

My mother was allergic to nickel in the days when women wore stockings - the suspender bit was nickel and she used to get blisters. It started quite suddenly.

I use surgical spirits on my ears if they get a bit sore and only wear the heavier earrings when I'm out, removing them when I get home to give my ears a 'rest' as it were.

You may has an intolerance to some metals. Can't wear any if the chromium type earrings or silver plated. I too didn't wear any earrings for years and when going back to them found this problem. It may well be that nowadays there is so much cheap jewellery made from all sorts of stuff compared to 20 years ago. Can only wear silver and gold in my ears now.

I can no longer wear silver as my ears start to itch, I'm restricted to gold or platinum. Tbh I haven't changed my earrings for a couple of years. I'm currently wearing small hoop platinum ones that only come out when I have Mri's etc.

My favourites are mostly silver. Before I put them in I spray fragrance on a tissue and wipe the posts of the earrings and the butterflies.
I suppose I could use gin instead but probably shan't!