minihope Animals & Foods Shaped Plastic Post Earrings, 30-Pairs

Metal allergies aren’t all that rare, with studies showing that about 17 percent of women and 3 percent of men are allergic to nickel. Another 1 to 2 percent are allergic to either cobalt or chromium, with some allergic to both.

The problem is nickel and chromium are in a substantial portion of the jewelry that’s marketed to women and children. With 17 percent of women allergic to nickel, that has opened a big market for jewelers, who offer hypoallergenic options to consumers. Some parents seek out these options for children. Infants and toddlers can be especially sensitive, and parents may prefer an alternative to the metals traditionally found in earrings.

Plastic posts can be a great way to wear the jewelry you want without worrying about the skin becoming irritated or your body being exposed to certain metals. The best thing about plastic posts is that usually, nobody else will even know they aren’t metal. They’ll have earring backs, as metal earrings do, and you can find them in a variety of decorations.

Parents have plenty of options when it comes to plastic post earrings for their children. Some feature small jewels, while others have kid-friendly embellishments to let children express their unique likes. If your child doesn’t yet have pierced ears, speak to the professional who will be doing the piercing to find out how you can use a safe post option for your child’s first pair of earrings.

For some, though, medical-grade earrings are the best option. These earrings are designed specifically for those suffering from metal allergies. You can purchase those online or get a recommendation from your dermatologist or allergy specialist for earrings that address your specific allergy.

• If you wear body jewelry, you can find earrings with plastic posts for each need. Make sure you buy one with the right-sized post for your use.
• Crafters might want to create their own look. You can buy your own parts to build the earrings you want. There are plastic hooks, as well as plastic posts and backs that you can attach to the decorative part of the earring.
• Not all plastic is hypoallergenic. Look for that in the description if you’re concerned. The first time you wear your new plastic posts, keep an eye on the area around the earring to make sure you aren’t having a reaction. Remove them as soon as possible if you start to suffer irritation.
• Plastic can tend to be less durable than metal. Make sure you go for a pair of earrings with posts made from top-quality plastic.
• If you’re buying earrings as gifts, you can find some that are packaged for gifting. Some children’s options have fun, whimsical packaging that will take the gift to the next level.
• Pay attention to the backs of the earrings you buy. Some are higher quality than others. You’ll likely also want the backs to be plastic.
• Most plastic earrings are made to be costume jewelry. If you have sensitivities but want genuine diamonds, you might want to look into earrings with medical-grade posts.
• With some plastic post earrings, the post can be trimmed to fit younger ears. If you have an infant or toddler you’re fitting, pay attention to whether you can customize them in this way.
• You can find earrings sold in sets that will give you different pairs to wear for different occasions. These can be especially fun for children.
• Some consumers are concerned about BPA, which can be found in some plastics. If this is a worry for you, look for earrings with posts that are BPA free.