<s>[INST] I got my ears pierced about 7 or 8 years ago I think but in the past year I've found it very difficult to wear any of my earrings.  When I do, usually after a day or two my earring holes start to get really itchy and the only relief is to take out the earrings.  Typically there is also a lot of green "stuff" coating my earrings.  Also, my earring holes look black on the inside.  Do you think this is an allergic reaction to the earrings? If so, what kind of earrings should I buy, and do you have any other advice? If it's not an allergy, then what is it? [/INST] Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.  I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. The symptoms are definitely in keeping with allergic reactions to the material of the earrings. You would need to determine the material of the earrings that you are currently wearing and avoid these in the future. You may need to avoid synthetic material.I hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.Regards,Dr. Michelle Gibson James </s>