There is a way for people who suffer from metal allergies to still enjoy jewelry!
Many people have experienced redness or itchiness on their skin after wearing jewelry or accessories.
We often hear about "metal allergies," but what kind of metals are bad for you? We'll also explain the redness and other symptoms that leave you wondering, "Could this be an allergy?" and share ways for people with metal allergies to enjoy wearing jewelry.
table of contents
- Symptoms of metal allergy
- Causes of metal allergies
- The three most common metals causing metal allergies
- What are the measures against metal allergies?
- How to Choose Jewelry
1. Metal allergy symptoms
Many people have experienced redness and itching on their skin after wearing jewelry or accessories. We often hear the term "metal allergy," but what exactly are the symptoms?
There are many different metals that can cause allergies, but metals can also be found in decorative items such as jewelry and watches, dental implants, silver fillings, belt buckles, and dyes used in clothing, and are all around us in our daily lives.
The symptoms have several characteristics:
Itching : You may experience severe itching in the area where you wear your jewelry.
Rashes : Red rashes or papules appear on the skin, often appearing as small red spots or bumps.
Swelling : Swelling may occur in the area where the jewelry was worn, both at the site of contact with the jewelry and in the surrounding area.
Blisters : In severe allergic reactions, blisters may form along with itching and a rash, which may burst and cause pain and further itching in the area.
Dryness and peeling : A prolonged allergic reaction may cause dry and peeling skin.
Features include:
Contact areas : Symptoms only appear on areas where the jewelry is in direct contact.
Delayed allergic reaction : Metal allergy reactions do not occur immediately, but may occur hours or days later (also called delayed hypersensitivity).
As such, the strength of allergic reactions and the symptoms that appear vary from person to person, and even the same metal can cause different reactions from person to person.
2. Causes of metal allergies
Did you know that there are times when you are more likely to develop metal allergies ?
When metals come into contact with sweat or bodily fluids, they ionize and dissolve, and the sweat or bodily fluids that contain the metals enter the body and bind to proteins. It is said that when the body sees them as foreign substances, the immune system overreacts, causing various allergic symptoms.
For this reason, in the summer, when people sweat easily and their skin is exposed, jewelry is in contact with the skin for a long time, making people more susceptible to allergies . However, it's not just summer you need to be careful about! You also need to be careful in the winter, when the air is dry and the skin is prone to dryness . Dry skin has a weakened barrier function, making it more susceptible to developing metal allergies. Also, in winter, people wear thick clothes, which can rub against the jewelry and cause friction, irritating the skin and worsening allergies.
The symptoms will subside naturally if you avoid contact with the metal that is causing the allergy, but if you come into contact with the metal again, the symptoms will tend to recur. Therefore, if the symptoms recur, we recommend that you consult a doctor.
Source: Medicalnote About metal allergies
3. The three most common metals causing metal allergies
It is difficult to say which metals cause allergies, as this depends on individual differences such as constitution, but I would like to talk about three metals that are particularly likely to cause allergies .
Nickel : This is the metal most commonly responsible for allergies and is found in inexpensive jewelry and everyday products.
Cobalt : Like nickel, this metal is prone to cause allergies.
Chromium : Can be found in some jewelry and leather products.
Used as a base for plating in jewelry : It is often used as a base for plating because it gives a shiny, glossy finish, plating adheres well, and is resistant to rust. However, over time the plating layer thins out, exposing the nickel, which can cause allergies.
Used as alloying metals : As we have previously mentioned, the composition of precious metals is determined by their purity, such as platinum or 24K, and the hardness, workability, and color are adjusted. The higher the purity, the less alloying metal is used, making it less likely to cause allergies .
(*Alloying metal refers to the metal that is added, and the composition varies depending on the brand.)
For these reasons, the use of nickel is prohibited in Europe under European Union regulations. Specifically, nickel leaching from products (jewelry) that may come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin must not exceed 0.5 μg/cm2.
Although it is the same gold, you need to be careful when choosing white gold because it contains palladium and nickel alloys to create the white color of white gold.
As a result, it is said that the higher the quality, the less alloying there is, making it less likely to cause allergies.
For more information about K10 and K18, please see here → [What is the difference between K10 and K18?] A jewelry designer from a lab-grown diamond specialty store explains!
In recent years, nickel-free accessories have been on the rise in Japan. Demand for stainless steel and titanium accessories is also on the rise, as they are less susceptible to sweat and moisture, so there is no need to worry about allergies and they are inexpensive.
4. What are the measures against metal allergies?
Metal allergies can be controlled by avoiding the metal that causes them, but in many cases, it is difficult to know which metal you are actually allergic to. If you experience an allergic reaction or other symptoms, it is important to take a patch test at a medical institution to find out which metal is causing the allergy.
As we mentioned earlier, people are more likely to develop allergies during the summer when they sweat easily, when they are exercising, or in situations where metal items such as necklaces and piercings are constantly coming into contact with bodily fluids.
Steps you can take to prevent allergies include:
・Wipe away sweat frequently
・Remove jewelry when exercising or sweating a lot.
・Avoid eating too many foods that contain a lot of metals (nuts, chocolate, etc.)
- For everyday items that are worn on the skin every day, such as glasses and watches, choose titanium or nickel-free products.
Being careful about these things can help prevent metal allergies, so please try to be mindful of them.
5. How to choose jewelry
So far, we have been talking about metal allergies, but I would like to summarize how to choose jewelry so that even those who are concerned about allergies can enjoy it.
▶︎Choose hypoallergenic metals
- Platinum : It has very high hypoallergenicity and is considered safe for most people.
-Titanium : It is lightweight and highly allergenic, so it is widely used in medical applications.
- Stainless steel : In particular, medical grade stainless steel (316L) is hypoallergenic and suitable for earrings and other jewelry.
・Palladium : It belongs to the platinum group and is said to be less likely to cause allergies.
・Gold : Choosing gold with high purity (K18 or higher) can reduce the risk of allergies. However, you should be careful of other metals (such as nickel) contained in the alloy.
▶︎Choose coated jewelry
Nickel-free coating : Nickel is a metal that can easily cause allergies. If you have allergies, it is recommended that you choose jewelry with a nickel-free coating.
- Rhodium plating : Often used on silver jewelry, it acts as a barrier to prevent metal allergies.
▶︎ Choose an allergy-friendly jewelry brand
In recent years, many jewelry brands have begun offering products for people with sensitive skin or allergies. These brands often use nickel-free or hypoallergenic materials, so you can choose your jewelry with peace of mind.
▶︎ Jewelry design and use
Start with something small : If you are trying on jewelry or a new material for the first time, it is a good idea to start with small earrings or a bracelet. Observe their reaction, and if they are OK with it, try wearing a necklace or something.
Remove your jewelry frequently : Avoid wearing your jewelry for long periods of time and remove it when you get home. This will help prevent allergies.
Clean your jewelry : It is also important to clean your jewelry regularly, as sweat and dirt buildup can cause allergies.
For information on caring for your jewelry, please see here → [Ring cleaning] Easy care for your jewelry to make it shine this summer
Know your allergies
- Patch testing : You can undergo a patch test at a medical institution to find out which metals you are allergic to.
What do you think? By being a little more conscious about how you choose your jewelry, you can minimize the risk of metal allergies and still enjoy wearing jewelry.
Every woman wants to look fashionable in any season! I think so, right? To be honest, I was also worried about allergies and didn't know how to choose jewelry. I hope this article will be helpful to those who have the same concerns.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
▶What are lab-grown diamonds?
Learn more about the original lab-grown diamonds
What is BRIGHT & BREEZY Lab-Grown Diamond?
▶Online Shop
Shop here
▶Contact us
Contact Us
For inquiries regarding custom orders and quotes, please contact us here.
▶︎blog
Click here for the list
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
