What Do I Need To Know Before Getting My Daith Pierced
The daith piercing is a relatively new piercing, and it is seemingly named after the word `daith , which is a Gaelic word for `courage . This piercing is done on the innermost cartilage fold of the ear, and it is sometimes misspelled as dite or dee. The daith piercing has a great appeal, and there are many people who are interested in getting it, which is why it is important to know what you should expect before you get it..
Q: What Does A Nickel Reaction Look Like
A: Unlike poison ivy, which quickly causes a reaction, a nickel response happens slowly with repeated or prolonged exposure. In most people, it causes excessive itchiness and a dry, scaly red rash also known as allergic contact dermatitis. It can also cause dark skin splotches in some cases.
But, because its a skin sensitivity, your bodys reaction likely isnt as severe as a full-blown allergic response. Nickel exposure doesnt cause the same swelling and breathing difficulties that a bee sting might, for instance.
Plastic Earrings For Kids Safe For Earring Allergies
A common question asked of pediatricians is, What is the best metal for hypoallergenic jewelry? The best material is no metal at all. Medical grade plastic is the best material for first-time piercings in both toddlers and adults. Its also the right choice for those who suffer from earring allergies.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that up to 20 percent of the population has an allergic reaction to nickel, one of the most common metals found in jewelry. An allergic reaction to jewelry is contact dermatitis. It is a red, itchy rash that can even form blisters.
Even if you dont think you or your babies have sensitive ears, why take that chance?
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Q: Will More Piercings Make The Reaction Worse
A: Yes, if your jewelry contains nickel. The more nickel that breaches your skin, the higher your rash risk, Dr. Vij says. Your immune system is conditioned to react each time youre exposed, so you could develop worsening eczema if you continue to wear jewelry that contains nickel.
With one-time exposure, such as having your ears pierced, you might not develop a reaction, he says. But, after more exposures six to eight or more your body will have a greater likelihood of a response.
How Do You Get An Allergy To Nickel
Nickel allergies, like any other allergy, is your bodys natural response to a foreign body like a bacteria or virus. It is your immune system protecting itself from a harmful substance. It is unclear why some people react to certain metals, and others dont.
Sometimes the body can respond immediately, such as a new piercing. Other times it can be a build up over years of exposure. However, once you develop symptoms, you will always have an allergic reaction to earrings with nickel or whatever the substance is. Youll need to avoid contacting nickel in all forms, not just jewelry. Fortunately, we have the solution below.
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What Makes Jewelry Hypoallergenic And What Are The Best Earrings For Sensitive Ears
Jewelry that is nickel-free is considered hypoallergenic, and safe for people with sensitive skin to wear.
If you know that you have a sensitivity to metals and have had difficulty wearing earrings in the past that are not hypoallergenic or precious metal, make sure that you wear safe metals. Sterling silver and 14k or higher gold are good options. Find out if the final product is tested to confirm that the casting process did not allow traces of nickel. Yellow and rose gold are preferable as often white gold contains nickel. Anything lower than 14k gold usually contains nickel and other allergenic alloys. We use 14k gold at Rowan as it is particularly beautiful and resistant to rusting. Other safe metal options can include sterling silver, platinum, palladium, titanium, tungsten, and even ceramic or copper. Gold vermeil, our most popular Earring of the Month Club selection, is safe for sensitive ears as both the sterling silver base and the 14k gold finish are both hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Skincare For New Piercings
- Wash your hands before touching your ears.
- Turn and twist the earrings morning, afternoon, and just before bed. This keeps the holes open. Resist the urge to finger the new earrings this will help to keep the area germ free.
- Use a cotton ball or cotton swab to rub alcohol on the area morning and evening. You may also use a mixture that your technician gives you that is an alcohol solution.
- Rub a little bit of petroleum jelly to help to keep scabs or crusting away.
- Keep the area clean by washing with simple soap and water. Shampoo running across the area wont hurt a bit either.
- Wear the same earrings they were pierced with for 6 – 8 weeks.
- A little redness, swelling, and tenderness is normal for a newly pierced area. As you get close to the 6 weeks mark, the skin should begin to be healed.
If you are experiencing any problems, you have a few options. If you experience any signs of infection, contact your family doctor or dermatologist. At the end of 6 weeks, its is a good time to replace the piercing studs with your choice of posts.
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Best Metals To Avoid Allergic Skin Reactions
Sterling Silver is usually considered a safe choice. Some silver jewelry may contain traces of nickel and trigger an allergic response. 14 K Gold is another safe metal. Be aware that some jewelry may be gold plated and once the thin plate wears down, allergic responses can occur.
In our case, we used only piercing studs for the first few years. Then she graduated to 14K gold, or Sterling Silver. Occasionally, she uses costume jewelry from discount stores with no problems. If there are any problems, we always go back to the beginning to eliminate them. You can definitely have success in getting skin piercing with skin allergies if you know what to do.
for Part 2 for information about choosing jewelry when you have skin allergies.
Top 9 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergies. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.
Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?
Home remedies for allergies including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below youll learn about nine amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.
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What Metals Cause Allergic Reactions
People can be allergic to any metal. Nickel is the most common metal allergy thats why youll notice many earrings labeled nickel-free. But nickel is not the only metal that results in an allergic reaction. Any metal can cause an allergic reaction, even gold. Maybe youve heard someone advise, Buy 18-karat gold because its pure and you cant be allergic. Not true. A gold allergy isnt very common, but your body can still react to it if youre allergic. No matter the metal, if you have a jewelry allergy, the rash usually looks the same.
Piercing Location And Symptoms
Many body piercings involve the placement of metallic objects in the ears, nose, navel, and even the tongue. Since metals are frequently the causative triggers for contact dermatitis, it’s possible for people to experience allergic reactions to body piercing jewelry.
These allergic reactions usually include red, itchy, and/or flaky skin at the site of contact with the jewelry.
They can also rarely trigger systemic nickel allergy syndrome, in which a person absorbing high nickel levels can develop chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue.
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Signs Of An Allergic Reaction And Infection
It may be as simple as a green mark at the earring hole. That is a good clue that your body is allergic to the metal. Burning, swelling, redness, and soreness that lasts beyond 3 weeks can mean that your body is not healing well. If there is any pus or oozing fluid coming from around the hole signal infection or allergic reactions. An allergic response is usually because of nickel in the metal. Small blisters forming around the hole are an indication that the earrings need to be replaced.
Does It Matter Which Side The Piercing Is On
In theory, yes it does matter what side the piercing is on. Get the piercing on the side of your head where your anxiety-related pain tends to cluster.
If youre not trying to treat anxiety-related migraines, it doesnt make a difference which side of your head you get the piercing on. Assuming that the anecdotal evidence holds, the piercing may help easy other anxiety symptoms regardless of which side its on.
If you dont experience migraines from anxiety, this wouldnt really matter.
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Safe And Stylish Plastic Earrings Are Hard To Find
Finding plastic earrings is easy. However, they are typically a hard, brittle type of plastic. They have the potential to crack and create a sharp edge accidentally. Medical grade-plastic is hard and virtually indestructible as a stud earring.
The best place to get these earrings is to order from Blomdahl USA. We have the largest selection of medical grade plastic earrings for kids or adults in North America. Often, bargain jewelry uses inexpensive glass that looks fake even from a distance. Our earrings feature the best Swarovski Crystals to add sparkle and brilliance that imitation stones cant match.
A reputable brand, Blomdahl USA offers these high-quality earrings:
- Medical Plastic Dangle earrings feature two stones, a Swarovski crystal in a 4mm setting and a Swarovski heart in a 6mm setting. Three color choices.
- Brilliance Horseshoe earrings. These 7mm earrings come with a choice of Swarovski crystals in Crystal, Aquamarine, Light Rose, and Violet.
- Dangle Flower earrings have a Swarovski crystal flower in a 6mm setting hanging from a Swarovski crystal stud in a 4 mm setting.
- Butterfly Dangle earrings with a Butterfly Swarovski crystal in a 5mm setting hanging from a Swarovski crystal in a 4mm setting.
- Dangle Star earrings feature two stones, a Swarovski crystal in a 4mm setting and a Swarovski crystal star with a 6mm setting. Crystal or black.
- Medical Plastic Pendant earrings offered in Heart, Butterfly, Star or Flower shaped Swarovski crystals in a rainbow of colors.
Do You Have An Allergic Reaction To Earrings
Some people have an allergic reaction to earrings. If youve ever experienced an itchy red rash after wearing earrings or other jewelry, it could be an allergic reaction to nickel. Nickel is the most common metal for jewelry makers to use. However, jewelry is not the only place you can contact nickel. Bra hooks, watch bands, zippers, coins and eyeglass frames are just a few of the ways we come in contact with nickel every day.
Allergies to nickel and other jewelry metals are more common than you think. Around 20% of the population suffers from nickel allergies and especially women and children. Keep reading to see what to do if you have an allergic reaction to earrings and the best ways to prevent allergies to nickel by switching to hypoallergenic jewelry like titanium stud earrings.
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How To Pick Earrings For Sensitive Ears
At Rowan, we believe that girls should be seen, heard and celebrated. As part of that core conviction, we are driven by the idea that every girl should have access to earrings that make her feel good on both the inside and outside. All of our earrings are hypoallergenic, high-quality and nickel-free, making them a great gift for any girls who might have sensitive skin. While some girls know that they have sensitive ears, others are getting their ears pierced for the first time and do not yet know if they have an allergy. More importantly, girls can develop allergies at any time, and a trigger for developing allergies is over-exposure to allergy-inducing metals .
What Is A Tragus Piercing
Tragus and daith piercings are novel treatments for migraine headaches and pain.
The daith is a fold of cartilage above the ear canal. The tragus is the triangular piece of cartilage below the daith, to the side of the opening.
Piercing either area involves inserting a needle through the cartilage and placing a stud or a hoop through the hole.
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What Hurts More Daith Or Tragus
It is commonly believed that it is the tragus. The daith piercing is on the inside of the piercing hole, meaning more pressure is applied to the tragus. However, as one daith piercing owner says, The tragus piercing hurt a lot more to get, but the pain went away quicker in my opinion. Another advantage to a daith piercing is that you can wear daith studs. These are stud earrings that are made for the daith piercing, and are much easier to get in than regular studs. A tragus piercing is more common, but a daith piercing is becoming a lot more popular..
How Its Said To Work
Your ear is home to several of the pressure points that acupuncturists and other holistic health practitioners stimulate to alleviate headaches.
These pressure points target the vagus nerve. This is the longest of the 10 nerves extending from the bottom of your brain into the rest of your body.
In theory, getting a daith piercing will place constant pressure on your vagus nerve.
Some health conditions, like depression and epilepsy, have been proven to respond to vagus nerve stimulation. Research to see if stimulating this nerve can treat other conditions is ongoing.
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Acupuncture And Auriculotherapy Explained
Before diving into the six different types of ear piercings and their health benefits, it is important to get some scientific background. The correlation between parts of the ear and other parts of the body was first identified by Dr. Paul Nogier, a French neurologist and physician. His research shows that by piercing certain parts of the ear, it stimulates the surrounding nerve areas. In certain cases, this sends a flow of energy through the body which helps alleviate types of pain and regulates the bodys functions and internal organs according to lifemaghealth.com. There are two different cultural approaches to auriculotherapy. The Asian approach is based on the understanding of health and disease of Traditional Chinese Medicine, using concepts such as qi, yin, yang and five elements. In contrast, Dr. Nogiers approach was biomedical, using concepts of neurophysiology, explains Gary Stanton in a scholarly journal article. This science is now researched worldwide, and the results are being published in other journals. Auriculotherapy is now considered by many physicians to be an evidence-based medicine, as a result of this research.
The daith piercing shown above is one of the most widely accepted medicinal alternatives to stop migraines. The support for this theory has only grown through the years.
#1: The Daith
#2: The Conch
Shown above is the forward helix, which has been studied to possibly show signs of improved blood circulation, as well as other health benefits.
Are Headaches A Common Side Effect Of Piercings
Theres very little medical research that says new ear piercings commonly cause headaches. Headaches arent among the most common side effects of piercings. However, anecdotal evidence suggests its not an unusual side effect.
Piercings arent the most comfortable procedures to begin with. Certainly, any well-trained technician will take measures to make the piercing more comfortable, but some initial reactions may include:
- pain at the piercing site
- skin irritation
If you develop a headache, its likely a result of some mild pain and discomfort caused by the piercing.
This may be especially true for piercings in areas of cartilage, like the inner ear. Softer tissues, like the earlobe, may be less likely to result in additional issues.
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Can A Jewelry Rash Spread
Normally, the rash appears wherever the nickel is in close contact with the skin. But it is possible for the rash to spread so that later on even areas that have not come into contact with the metal will become red and itchy, although the rash is usually worse where the skin is in contact with nickel.
How to treat an irritated piercing?
Gently pat the affected area dry with clean gauze or a tissue. Then apply a small amount of an over-the-counter antibiotic cream as directed on the product label. Twist the piercing jewelry several times to prevent it from sticking to the skin.
Do piercing irritation bumps go away?
Piercing bumps can be caused by allergies, genetics, poor tracking, or just plain bad luck. With treatment, they can completely disappear.
Can sterling silver give you a rash?
A silver allergy can produce a reaction called contact dermatitis, which includes symptoms such as swelling, rashes, or pain. Most of the time, these skin allergies are actually nickel allergies.
How to prevent jewelry rash?
Look for hypoallergenic or nickel-free jewelry. You can also prevent a skin reaction by wearing stainless steel or titanium. Another trick is to replace metal watch straps with fabric, plastic or leather ones.
Are piercings harmful to the body?
