How to Take off back of Earring

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How to take off back of earring? After getting a new ear piercing you may want to remove your earrings to change them or go without. Make sure you wait 6-8 weeks for earlobe piercings and at least 4 months for cartilage piercings, before removing your earrings. Always wash your hands before handling your earrings, and keep the piercing clean by regularly cleaning with a saline solution. As long as you’ve followed these steps, taking your earrings out should be safe and easy.

Occasionally throughout life, an earring back or two will become stuck on our favorite pair of earrings, and it will seem nearly impossible to remove it. There is no need to worry. We have filled this post with all the “must-know” info to help you out of this common jewelry mishap.

Several factors can lead to an earring back becoming stuck on your earring post. There is no need to be fearful or embarrassed. This happens to everyone at least once in their life!

In this post, we will determine which kind of earring backing you have so you can better diagnose the cause, and we’ll share our tips and tricks for getting you unstuck and onto the next set of glamorous studs.

Types of Earring Backs

Push Backs — Also known as butterfly backs or friction backs. This type of earring back is incredibly common and gets the butterfly moniker from the shape of the metal coil on the back that provides friction to keep the backing in place.

Jumbo Earring Backs — Jumbo earring backs are simply enlarged friction backs that make it easier for those with limited finger mobility to manipulate.

French Clips — These earring backs have a small hinge at the base that folds over the post of the earring and sits against the back of the ear.

French Wire — French wire earring backs are one of the most common earring backs and look similar to a shepherd’s hook.

La Pousette Backs — If you are looking for an earring back that is comfortable to wear but is also more secure, this is the choice for you. As for those heirloom or special occasion pieces, look no further than a la poussette back. La pousette backings contain two buttons or tabs on the sides of the backing that you push in order to move the backing around and release it to lock into place.

Latch Backs — If you have a habit of losing your earrings, investing in hoops with a latch can help your earrings stay on as they have a built-in latch that tightens over the post when you click it into place.

Lever Backs — A simple built-in earring back includes ahinged lever that clips just over the fishhook-shaped stud.

Saddlebacks — Saddle-back earrings are similar to lever backs except in that the earring itself is usually designed differently and is in more of a horseshoe shape that is meant to be worn flat against the face.
Screw Posts — Typical earrings that are looped or in a bar shape that have a small immovable ball or set of balls. You simply screw these little balls off, slip the post through, and then screw back on. These are used a lot for body piercings as well as cartilage piercings

How to Take off back of Earring

If your earring back becomes stuck and you can’t seem to remove it with just your fingers, here are a few steps you can follow to help loosen up that earring back and set yourself free.

First, we want to state that if you are experiencing any sensitivity or swelling of your ear, you should call your doctor and make an appointment before proceeding with removing the earring back on your own.

Now, let’s talk about getting you free of this bad boy in an easy to follow step by step fashion:

Take a warm shower and concentrate the warm water on the earlobe. Suds up the ear with a cleansing face wash then slowly and gently massage the warm water around the earring. Rinse your ear with warm water and pat the area dry.
Grab the front of the earring with one hand and the back of the earring with another. Gently attempt to twist the earring clockwise to loosen the backing. It may come off at this point.
If your earring is still stuck after cleaning the area, you can create a simple warm saline solution and apply it to the area.
Take a bowl of warm water and dissolve a tablespoon of salt into it.
Using an ear swab or a cotton ball, dip the applicator into the warm salty water.

Apply the warm salty water all around where the backing and the stud or bar meet each other and hold for a few seconds.

Next, carefully grab the back of the earring and the front of the earring in each hand and give it a twist and a tug.
- If your earring back is still not budging after this third try, it is time to bring in a friend and a pair of needle-nose pliers.
- Hold the front of your earring while your friend attempts to loosen the backing from the earring. They can do this by clasping the pliers around the earring back and giving it gentle tugs.
  Depending on the type of backing, like with a butterfly clasp, they can use the pliers to loosen the piece or spiraled metal that gives the butterfly back one of its names. Once you’ve pulled on the spiral, try rotating the metal back and forth before holding the front of the earring and giving it a tug.
- Finally, if none of these methods are working, you might need to call a jewelry store and ask if they can help cut the post of your earring with some wire cutters, removing the back.
  Don’t fear. You can have your earring reset, and we promise you it won’t be nearly as traumatizing as getting your earring back stuck.
  
  The jewelry store will also be able to advise you on resetting the earring and diagnosing what happened with the earring back to get it so very stuck.
In some extreme cases, the ear may close over the earring stud trapping it inside the cartilage. In cases such as these, we suggest you get in touch with a local licensed piercer and see if they can help you. If not, it is time to make an appointment with a doctor.