When it comes to earrings, the difference between the types is significant and greatly affects how harmful it can be if they are not removed before sleep:
Dangling earrings or large hoops can get caught in fabric, stretch and even cause sudden pain if you turn quickly. In some cases a partial tear in the earlobe can occur – an unpleasant scenario to say the least!
Clip-on earrings work with mechanical pressure. At night this pressure can become a real nuisance, especially if sleeping on your side. Beyond discomfort, the prolonged pressure can cause local pain and even temporary redness, so it is not recommended to sleep with them at all.
Huggie earrings are earrings that wrap around the earlobe or cartilage and close relatively tightly. On one hand they are less prominent than dangling earrings, and therefore less likely to get caught in the pillow. On the other hand, if they are thick or rigid, they can press on the ear for hours and cause local sensitivity. If you do sleep with earrings, this type is considered relatively safe, as long as they are smooth and close-fitting.
Screw-back earrings are very common and usually small diamond studs. The advantage: they are very stable and less likely to fall out. The disadvantage: their back part protrudes and is sometimes relatively sharp. When sleeping on your side, the back can press into the skin and create a “sore spot” feeling in the morning. It’s not necessarily dangerous, but it’s unpleasant and this is not the type of earring you want to go to bed with.
Bottom line: In most situations, removing earrings before sleep will relieve the earlobes and reduce unnecessary wear and strain.
The clearest and simplest recommendation is to remove jewelry before sleep. It’s an action of a few seconds that can save discomfort or even pain, and unnecessary wear. If you still go to sleep with earrings or a necklace, it is advisable to choose close-fitting, smooth items and not sharp or heavy jewelry. It is also important to maintain periodic cleaning and pay attention to any sign of irritation, pain or redness on the skin.
