What Allergies Can Cause Non Precious Metals

Does itching and redness develop on the area where you wore non precious metals? What you have is called allergic contact dermatitis. It’s an itchy red rash that develops when the skin comes in contact with a material that’s usually not dangerous. Nickel is the most common substance that causes the sensitivity. However, non precious metals are not the only items that contain nickel. It can also be found in hooks, belt buckles, zippers and eyeglass frames.

What is jewellery allergy?

Most jewellery allergy is caused by nickel that is used in the production of precious metal alloys. In less expensive jewels, it’s often utilized in the base metal that is then plated with silver or gold. Many people who think that they’re allergic to silver or gold jewellery are, in fact, allergic to nickel. Nickel can transpire as a trace element in silver or gold or be used to strengthen or whiten a piece of gold jewellery.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs in areas where a metal that contains nickel is touching the skin. The most common areas of allergy are the fingers, around the neck and earlobes. The affected sites become pigmented and thickened, extremely itchy, dry, blistered and red. Sometimes, the condition later affects parts that aren’t in contact with the piece of jewellery. The hand is the most common part affected by this condition. People who have a previous jewellery allergy history may suffer from Pompholyx, a blistering kind of hand dermatitis. They may also develop Pompholyx due to contact with other nickel sources like keys and coins.

Who are affected by allergy to non precious metals?

Allergic contact dermatitis may occur at any age. Once it happens, it persists for years. Some people develop this condition after many years of wearing nickel-containing items without any problem and then suddenly develop a rash. This usually occurs in areas that have contact with metal, but in severe cases, it spreads to other parts. Others develop rashes even with brief contact with items that contain nickel.

Nickel allergy is prevalent in women as they tend to wear jewellery more often than men. Allergy to nickel might be the most common jewellery allergy, but allergy to other metals can happen as well. It is, however, rare. If you want to send parcel to Germany to deliver a jewellery item to your friend or family member, make sure they don’t have any allergy to metals.

Treatments

Removing the responsible jewellery is the best way to treat your allergy.  Treatments can help in reducing the symptoms, but you have to keep in mind that once an allergy is developed, you’ll always be sensitive to it. Thus, the most effective and easiest treatment is to avoid contact with items that contain nickel. If you accidentally come in contact with an item that has nickel and develop a more serious rash that doesn’t respond to anti-itch creams and removal of the material, it’s best to consult a doctor or a dermatologist who can prescribe oral or topical corticosteroids to treat the problem.