Jewellery Allergies
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Many people have skin that is sensitive to one or more metals. If you develop a rash around your jewelry, with red and itchy skin, then you probably have allergies to metal jewelry and should avoid wearing any jewelry made of that metal.
One of the most common allergies to metal jewelry that customers have is to nickel. Some of these people can wear surgical stainless steel for a few hours of for the whole day. But then there are others who cant wear watches and even have reactions to the buttons on jeans!Gold jewelry usually has a small amount of nickel contained in the metal alloy. So if you react to your white gold then its likely that your problem is with the nickel, not the gold. You can usually solve the issue by upgrading to a higher karat of gold, which is made from a more pure alloy.
Causes
The allergy that occurs by wearing original or artificial jewelry is referred as Nickel dermatitis or Contact dermatitis or Nickel allergy. It is basically a contact allergy. It can happen anytime at any age. Every single human body reacts to different degree with nickel depending upon the tolerance and susceptibility level. The allergy is caused when the skin comes in contact with the metal viz. white gold/yellow gold/silver/platinum consisting nickel. Through the pierced nose or ear hole, nickel penetrates inside the bloodstream of the body where the cells react in opposition to the presence of nickel.
Animal allergens are found mostly in homes where pets are present. What is surprising, however, is that these allergens are also found (in lesser amounts) in places where pets have never been present, such as schools, workplaces, and other public spaces. Since dander allergens are sticky, they can be brought to these places on the clothing of pet owners. Also, while dander on a smooth surface (such as a wall) can be easily wiped off, in soft materials, such as carpets, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and clothing, it can persist for long periods of time.
EAR PIERCING CAN CAUSE METAL ALLERGIES
New York, May 13, 1986 - Ear piercing can trigger metal allergies that make a person suddenly unable to wear many types of jewelry, or even metal buttons, snaps or zippers, an authority in the field of contact dermatitis said today at a seminar sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology. "The allergy often only becomes active after a trauma to the skin," said Doctor Fisher, M.D., clinical professor of the Department of Dermatology, New York University, and author of the text Contact Dermatitis.