How to Coat Earring Backs for Sensitive Skin

If you suffer from metal sensitivity but still want to wear stylish earrings, you can coat your earring backs with a hypo-allergenic protective coating. Itchy, swollen piercings will be a thing of the past! This guide will get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Earrings
• Hypo-allergenic protective coating (various brands)
• Tray or dish partially filled with uncooked white rice
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs

1. Buy the hypo-allergenic coating from a specialty jewelry store, salon or online. The coating is usually packaged similar to nail polish and is sold under a variety of brand names. Do not just use clear nail polish.
2. Read all of the directions on the coating.
3. Clean the posts or wires on your earrings with the swabs and rubbing alcohol.
4. Coat the metal area which will touch your ears with a generous (but not ridiculous) amount of the coating. Be sure to keep the coating out of any hinges.
5. Gently place the earring in the rice-filled dish, with the coated portions facing up. Make sure the earring will stay upright when you let go.
6. Let the coating dry. Drying time is usually about thirty minutes.
7. Enjoy your earrings!

Tips & Warnings

• Coating the separate earring back usually doesn't work very well. Consider using a plastic or rubber earring back sold especially for sensitive ears.
• Allergies are potentially life threatening. If at any point your symptoms seem severe or your throat feels tight, please seek immediate emergency medical attention.