How To Remove Stuck Earrings Safely and Easily
by Werneri Grundström
·4 minutes
Getting earrings stuck in your ear piercings can be painful and frustrating. Don't panic though - there are several simple techniques you can use to remove stubborn earrings without damaging your ears. In this guide, we'll walk through the most effective methods to take off earrings that are stuck.
Safety Precautions
Before attempting any earring removal methods, it's crucial to prioritize safety:
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to prevent introducing bacteria to your ear.
- Gently cleanse the area around your earring with rubbing alcohol or saline solution.
- Be extra gentle and patient while working to remove the earring. Avoid tugging or forcing it, as this can cause irritation and damage.
- If you experience severe pain, excessive swelling, discharge, or other signs of infection, stop and consult a professional piercer or doctor immediately.
Now, let's explore the various techniques you can use to safely remove stuck earrings.
Loosen the earring back
The first thing to try is gently twisting and wiggling the earring back to loosen it. Many times, earring backs can get wedged on too tightly, making the earrings difficult to remove. Hold the front of the earring steady with one hand. With your other hand, slowly twist the earring back counterclockwise while pulling back slightly. The earring back should start to loosen. Continue until you're able to slide the earring out.
If twisting the back doesn't work, try this alternate method:
- Soak the earring back in a drop of mineral oil or olive oil for a few minutes. The oil will lubricate the post and help the back slip off more easily.
- Again hold the front of the earring securely and twist the back counterclockwise while pulling. The oil should help it slide right off.
- Clean the post thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to remove any oil residue before putting the earrings back in.
Apply ice
If your ear piercing is painful and inflamed, the earring may be stuck due to swelling. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to your earlobe can help reduce inflammation so you can remove the earring:
- Wrap an ice pack or a few ice cubes in a thin towel. Never apply ice directly to your skin.
- Hold the compress to your earlobe for 10-15 minutes to numb your ear and decrease swelling.
- Try to gently take out the earring. If it's still stuck, repeat the icing and try again in a few minutes.
Reducing any swelling is key to removing stuck earrings painlessly. Once you get the earring out, continue icing a few times a day until the inflammation subsides.
Use a lubricant
Applying a lubricant to the earring post can help it glide out more smoothly. You can use:
- Vaseline
- Coconut oil
- Specialized jewelry lubricant
- Olive oil
Place a small amount of lubricant on a clean finger or cotton swab and gently coat the earring post. Carefully work the earring back and forth while pulling it out. If it's still stuck, re-lubricate and try again. Be sure to clean the earring and your ear thoroughly afterward.
Try a different backing
If your earring has a removable back, switching it out for a different type can sometimes make removal easier. For example, replacing a tight butterfly back with a rubber back-stopper may help. Always make sure to sterilize the new backing before using it.
Visit your jeweler
If you have high-end earrings with expensive gemstones or intricate settings, it's best to visit your jeweler to have stuck earrings professionally removed. Jewelers have specialized tools to carefully take out stubborn earrings without damaging them.
Many jewelers also offer jewelry cleaning services and can give your earrings a thorough polishing. Regular cleaning helps prevent buildup that can cause earrings to stick. Consider having your fine earrings professionally cleaned a few times a year.
See your piercer
For relatively new piercings that are severely swollen or painful, visit your piercer to remove the stuck earrings. Piercers are experienced in safely removing jewelry from inflamed ears. They can also assess your ears and recommend the proper aftercare.
In some cases, the piercing may be infected and will require treatment from your doctor. Signs of infection include:
- Severe redness
- Swelling
- Throbbing pain
- Discharge or pus
- Fever
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. They can prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection so your piercing can heal.
Keep your piercing healthy
To avoid dealing with stuck earrings in the future, keep your ear piercings clean and healthy. Clean your earrings and piercing holes regularly with saline solution or rubbing alcohol. Don't sleep in your earrings and take them out every few weeks to thoroughly disinfect the posts and backs.
The Bottom Line
With patience, gentle techniques, and the right tools, you can safely remove stuck earrings at home. If your earrings won't budge or you experience severe pain or signs of infection, don't hesitate to seek professional help from your jeweler, piercer, or doctor.
