Do you experience redness, blistering and discharge at the point of contact of your jewelry? If this is true, you might be suffering from jewerly allergy. Jewelry allergy is mostly caused due to the metal nickel. Nickel is alloyed with several metals which can put an individual at risk of allergies. Chrome and cobalt are other metals which can cause allergies.
Jewelry allery is caused when the body’s immune system mistakes the metal for a harmful substance and reacts against. This results in a skin reaction at the location where the jewerly contacts the skin.
Symptoms of Jewelry Allergy:
Allergy to jewelry causes allergic contact dermatitis. Following are the symptoms:
- Redness
- Rashes
- Blistering
- Draining of fluid
If you suspect jewelry allergy, do consult your allergist. He/she can conduct a patch testing —where a low amount of metal is placed on the skin to check for signs of irritation.
Wet contact of the skin with the jewelry can also trigger allergies. Water, sweat can enable the metal ions to enter the skin and cause allergies. Hence, avoid wet contact of the jewelry to prevent allergies.
Sometimes people suspect they are allergic to a certain metal, when they are actually allergic to the alloys used in it. For example, many people develop allergy to gold due the presence of nickel in it.
Preventing Jewelry Allergy:
- Prefer nickel free jewelry to avoid allergies. You can also prefer stainless steel, titanium jewelry. Avoid gold plated jewelry
- Avoid wet contact with the jewelry. Sweat, water around the jewelry can put you at risk of allergy
- While undergoing body piercing, only use nickel-free needles
- You can buy hypo-allergenic jewelry
To treat allergy to jewelry, anti-histamines, topical corticosteriods can be used. Prevention of allergy jewerly is the best way to stay safe. If your allergies are persistent, do consult an allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
