I have no good advice to offer, but I will be watching this thread. My ears were pierced in my early teens and than they closed, and I have been a coward to repierce them ever since, because there is some scar tissue there. I have been really thinking a lot about it recently.

How was your experience when you pierced them again Anne?

No big deal last time Tanya, but I have scar tissue this time, and don't think I had any last time

If your ears close up that fast, I would just leave them.

Khris, this time I have left them for a few days with few problems (and kept them open for 3 1/2 years) But I must have forgotten for a week or so when they closed up.

Anne, you sound like me. I've had my ears pierced 3 times; after they closed up the second time, I discovered that I have a nickel allergy that was causing chronic infections. Nickel is very common in cheap costume jewelry and can be released in gold or silver plated earrings.

The 3rd time was successful since I used gold studs, but for the first five years they would still close up if I didn't wear earrings at least every other day. They took a long time to fully heal. Also, for the first few years I had to be very careful about avoiding any metal with nickel. (Edited: I forgot to mention that as soon as I was able, I stopped wearing studs since I found them uncomfortable, and switched to lightweight drop earrings during the day.)

I didn't notice any complication from the scar tissue from my first two rounds of piercings, but the last time they repositioned the piercing on my left ear because the original piercing from when I was a kid was off-center. Unfortunately, the old piercing didn't heal all the way, so I've accidentally opened the hole back up by putting an earring in it when I'm not paying attention. It's kind of an icky feeling.

Basically, it's up to you about whether going through the healing process again is worth it. If your piercings close up easily, I'd recommend wearing earrings as often as you can stand, and coat the post in neosporin if you have trouble getting it back in your ears (since it lubricates & gives you extra protection against infection.) And to be on the safe side, if you decide to re-pierce, I'd strongly suggest using nickel-free earrings.

I have had the same problem, I found that the bar of the earring would stick into my head at night and puncture the skin. I tried a stud with a shorter bar which helped a little but I noticed that one of my holes would try to close even when I was wearing earrings, this made it near impossible to get the stud out.

It's your decision on having your ears repierced but doyou think you would be more diligent this time?

It may be worth speaking to a professional body piercer, as I had my ears pierced with a gun at my local hairdresser which I think had allot to do with my problems.

I was advised not to leave mine in overnight as this can lead to the allergies many are plagued with. And i always buy hypoallergenic earrings.
In response to getting them done again it's certainly easier to wear earrings with pierced ears but if you struggle to remember them you could have the same problem again x

A week is a really short period of time to have your ear holes mend themselves. I don't wear earrings at all anymore, but I still have the holes.

Ditto what Kari said. Nickle allergies can casue a ton of probs. It took me years to figure that out.

If you choose to re-pierce (my vote) stick with surgical steel only, or nickle free white or yellow gold :) Earrings are fun!

I have my ears pierced. And I leave my earrings in 24/7 I don't even feel them. :) Don't get the cheapy kind, or they will make your ears sore... :S I have hoops, I like hoops way better. :)

♥ Carlee

Nickel allergies are absolutely horrible, they are the reason why I took my earrings out of my piercings and have never put them back in again.

Anne, I have nothing to add to what the ladies have said. I had my ears pierced when I was basically an infant or toddler. It sounds barbaric, but it is pretty routine (culturally speaking). I was so young that I have no recollection of it at all. Oddly no matter how long I go without earrings, my holes never close up. I guess it might be because of how young I was but I really don't know.

Anyway, the point is this: I read the title of this thread as "Should I replace my ears?" and I was dying to know what you planned to replace them with :p

(Hah! Maya).

Anne, I too had my ears pierced as a toddler (also cultural having a Eurasian mother). The last time I wore earrings was 13 years ago on my wedding day, but my holes have not closed up. I guess you have to decide whether you REALLY want to wear earrings.