Sleeper earrings, also frequently called starter earrings, are designed to be worn by people who have had their ears pierced for the first time. They are named as such because they must be worn around the clock, which includes during sleeping time. Most of these earrings have a smooth front with unusually short posts and screw on backs. These earrings are additionally often made of hypoallergenic metals, such as sterling silver, gold, or surgical steel. Once the ears have healed completely from the piercings, these earrings can typically be replaced by other types.
A person who has just had her ears pierced will likely be better off using only sleeper earrings until they have healed. It is not usually a good idea to continually remove and replace earrings from newly pierced ears, because this can increase the risk of infection and might also cause some discomfort or irritation. The amount of time it may take for a person's ears to heal from piercing varies, but the same earrings should be kept in place until healing is complete. They are made to be comfortable throughout the day, whether a person is awake or asleep.
Many people with newly pierced ears, particularly small children, wear sleeper earrings in the form of smooth studs. This choice might be best for children because a child might be less likely to play with the earring and attempt to pull it out. Some sleeper earrings come in the form of hoops, which might be a good choice for an older person with a new ear piercing. These hoops may appear more stylish than simple studs, while serving the same purpose of being comfortable throughout all hours of the day. The hoops might be a bad choice for a child because the chances are probably greater that a child would pull or tug on the hoop and inadvertently take it out.
Even though there may be some sleeper earrings available that are made of inexpensive metals, it may be best for a person to spend a little extra and buy either gold or silver. This is because the less expensive metals often contain nickel, which many people are allergic to. Even if a person has no known allergy to nickel, it can still develop over time, particularly if the earrings are worn non-stop. It's usually best to pick out sleeper earrings made from high-quality hypoallergenic materials because the earrings must be worn for extended periods of time.