Ear piercing is very popular these days, this has been influenced a lot thanks to the changing fashion statements. Ear piercing is expected to become much more popular. Atopic eczema has also become very common, but very few studies have addressed the idea that ear piercing itself could be responsible for causing eczema.
Ear piercing involves making a hole in the ear and then threading a piece of metal through it. This leads to contact with heavy metals such as nickel and cobalt. It is strictly recommended to perform the piercing in perfect hygienic conditions. Even after the piercing is done, there are some precautions you should follow.
Atopic eczema is triggered by certain allergens in affected people. An exposure to a certain material could trigger eczema, could a metal like nickel trigger eczema?
Scientists have investigated whether nickel can trigger atopic eczema. In an experiment with 960 young girls, it was found that around 13% of those who got their ears pierced developed allergic skin reactions. Of the same sample, only 1% of those who did not get their ears pierced had eczema. Similarly, in a study of 520 young Swedish men doing compulsory military service, hypersensitivity to nickel and cobalt was found to be higher (in 8% of men) among those who got pierced. In contrast, only 2.7% of those who did not get their ears pierced developed eczema. In another study of 424 Norwegian schoolchildren aged 7-12, 89 children had their ears pierced and 79 developed skin allergies to metal jewelry, representing a whopping 88% of those who got pierced! ears! These studies statistically link nickel and cobalt ear piercing to atopic eczema, and establish the metals as allergens for a significant percentage of the population.
It is possible to protect yourself from allergic reactions, you should first start by visiting your doctor for an allergen test. If you find out that you are not allergic to nickel, then it should be okay to go ahead and get your ears pierced.
Another less obvious reason for skin allergies after ear piercing might not be the metal, but the latex gloves worn by the person getting the ear pierced. If you think you are allergic to latex or rubber, you should request that the person wear a pair of gloves made of a different material. Since boys have shown a very high susceptibility to possible nickel sensitization (88% compared to 13% among adult men), it can be seen that boys are much more sensitive, so great care should be taken when considering piercing your child’s ears. For people who suffer from diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart disease, or hemophilia, it’s important to seek your doctor’s approval before even considering getting your ears pierced.
Good skin health is much more important than simply making a fashion statement. After all, a face full of rash doesn’t make a good fashion statement anyway! With a little caution and moderation, it is possible to prevent the development of atopic eczema.