You may have never realized it, or you may not have had any clearly visible symptoms. When wearing a jewellery, be it a necklace, a bracelet, a ring or even earrings, and a rash, redness or swelling of the skin, itching and in the most serious cases a burn occurs, so remove it immediately! You could, in fact, have an allergic reaction to nickel or to another product present on the jewel.
The Cause of Jewelry Allergies
Due to the natural corrosion that jewelery undergoes, metals release metallic ions which, when brought into contact with our organism, can cause hypersensitivity, see allergic reaction. Indeed, our immune cells will take these ions for microbes or bacteria, and will therefore attack them.
Metals that can cause allergies
Nickel is definitely public enemy number one for people who have allergic reactions to jewelry. Indeed, it is one of the most toxic metals that are used in the field of jewelry creation. It should also be noted that cadmium and lead also contain nickel. These metals are toxic, even carcinogenic, when swallowed or put in the mouth, which children often do. Copper and its alloys can also cause allergic reactions. When some people say they are allergic to silver jewelry, it is actually a copper allergy.
Plated metals
Even if the metals are gold or plated, this does not prevent allergic reactions. Indeed, the plating layer is generally not not thick enough to prevent the corrosion responsible for the release of problematic ions, and therefore jewelry allergies.
Hypoallergenic and non-allergenic metals
Platinum, palladium, gold and titanium are considered to be naturally non-allergenic.
Stainless and surgical steel
Indeed, stainless steel contains 10% chromium, a metal not very sensitive to corrosion, which allows the steel not to oxidize. Chromium is also one of the metals that can cause allergic reactions. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to find nickel in some stainless steel alloys.
Most people think that stainless steel does not cause allergies at all. In reality, the term hypoallergenic means that the composition of the alloy minimizes the risk of allergies.
It is then necessary to remain cautious with this term, since in no case does it guarantee that the person will not have an allergy, or that the alloy does not contain nickel.
Surgical steel is a type of stainless steel suitable for manufacturing medical implants and surgical instruments. However, this alloy also contains varying amounts of chromium and nickel. This is why, again, it is possible for some people to develop allergies.