Earring allergy and hip replacement?

Hi @marieinid
Sorry you are dealing with this. I too, have issues with earrings and now necklaces regardless of metal. My ears would puff up and get clear drainage and itch like crazy. Necklaces, neck turns red and itches like crazy. I was worried about this too. I have had both hips replaced 2 & 4 yrs ago. So far, all is well. I know they can test for a metal allergy, but I dont recall the name. It seems that the testing isnt done unless there is an issue. I would bring that question up in your pre-op visit. It will ease your mind if you have a “plan”, and if the provider is close minded, then make sure to get a second opinion or third until your question(s) are answered and you feel comfortable with their response to your questions/concerns. I had 3 opinions before I made my decision. Best wishes with your health journey

You need more information. Have you had a blood test for metals? It's an out of pocket expense, Medicare will not cover it, $600.00. My ortho's office drew the blood and it was sent to a lab in Chicago.
Like you I've had earring post issues and necklace issues all my life, although for me gold is fine. In middle age I developed severe Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD which caused severe eczema and I was tested and learned dozens of allergic contacts so my eczema is clear today. Yet metal allergies never showed up on my 5 Day Extended Patch Test for ACD. This 5 Day Patch Test costs about $1,500 and Medicare covers it.
Before my titanium knee implant was scheduled and because of my allergic history I wanted a current test for metals and bone cement. The orthopedist told me the blood test was more accurate at detecting metal allergies than the patch test. The results caused me to cancel my surgery. 5 metal allergies were confirmed, two moderate and 3 mild, titanium the metal used in the implant I did not react to but the ortho told me that there is no such thing as pure titanium, even the purest has traces of other metals and with wear over time the implant degrades and I would be exposed to the metals I am allergic to. Also even the ceramic coated implants degrade over time and once again the body is exposed to metals. I canceled the surgery which was 5 years ago and have accepted my deteriorating knee condition, fearing the added misery of rejection.
Still you have been living successfully with a titanium jaw implant without issues so I understand your dilemma.
I would still advise paying for a blood test for metals and bone cement to be more informed. Then based on the severity of the metal allergy's if detected and the positive results you have had from your jaw replacement, you and your doctor or doctors (yes as legeke mentioned get a second or third opinion) can realistically assess the pro's and con's.

I developed an allergy to nickel when I was young and foolishly bought very cheap earrings. I cannot wear jewelry unless it’s 14 ct gold or above,
You should definitely have your blood sample sent to the lab in Vhicago that specializes in metal and joint cement sensitivities. Your dr will need to arrange for it through a lab (such as clinical pathology labs) and as noted above it’s not covered by insurance. It’s especially important for you since you react to other metals. A ‘hypoallergenic’ implant from Smith and Nephew was used for my knee implant, it has no nickel but does contain other metals . titanium allergies are apparently pretty rare but they do occur, and it’s my understanding titanium contains very small amounts of nickel. You may need a ceramic implant. Would definitely go to a surgeon who takes metal allergies seriously.

@caseybo1115 thank you for sharing your experience. The advice to go to a surgeon who takes metal allergies serious is helpful. I just talked with a surgeon who didn't, and I definitely wasn't comfortable. Thank you!

@gardeningjunkie, thank you for sharing your experience. This is helpful, and I will definitely have these conversations in my next surgeon visits. I had planned to get a couple of opinions, and how they handle this issue will be one of the deciding factors I'm sure. Thank you again.

Thank you @legeke. I appreciate the reply and the support, and thank you for sharing your experience. I do plan to meet with a few different surgeons, and appreciate knowing this is a legitimate concern.

I had a titanium implant but I am not allergic. I am about to have a total knee replacement and my surgeon uses the Smith & Nephew Journey II oxinium implant. The same surgeon did my hip but used a different implant.

Smith & Nephew does make an oxinium hip implant:
https://www.smith-nephew.com/en-us/health-care-professionals/products/orthopaedics/oxinium
Would that work for you?

The earrings I understand. My problem, besides a horrible nickel allergy, is that one of my ears was pierced wrong and the hole isn’t “straight”. I’ve thought of getting really small gauges so I don’t have to keep stabbing the inside of my ear. My only problem is finding someone locally that does them. I haven’t given up.
What I did find out is even if you have earrings that say they’re sterling or stainless, some solder has nickel. 🫤

When I was 12, a long time ago, my ears were pierced. It was then when I was informed of my allergy to nickel. My ear were so badly infected, the doctor stated if my ears were not free of metal, I could lose my ear lobes! Perhaps to scare me? Anyhow nickel is present lots of other metals as it is added strength and is cheaper. Be careful because nickel allergy tends to run in families (my mother and sister had the same problem). We found only gold jewelry was what we could wear. The nickel used in my THR has caused havoc in my life today.

Hi, I also had the 5 day patch test for allergies years ago and nickel was one of my allergies. I cannot wear any jewelry except gold in my earlobes. I had a Stryker hip replacement in January 2025 and so far so good. It’s titanium and ceramic so I hope as it wears it doesn’t expose me to metals. I guess I didn’t think about that, as someone mentioned.
Good luck