Allergies

[ksmith]

Jewelry allergies.

I have a nickel allergy. I've always had to be careful when buying earrings. But over the last few years, I've been having problems with rings and bracelets as well, including some I've owned for years that I really like. Is clear nail polish still the best thing for covering contact areas, or is there something better/longer-lasting on the market?

Comments

[torrilin.livejournal.com]

My sister has found *some* 24k gold plate acceptable (in defiance of all chemistry and physics). Clear nail polish can work. Clear plastic tape can work. High test sterling silver can work. Anything that claims to be "allergy safe" is likely to trigger lots of misery. IME with her, not much does work. Her allergy is pretty severe tho.

For a while it looked like we needed to get her sterling silver flatware so she wouldn't be covered in sores from the nickel exposure she got while eating.

[retrobabble.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. Me too.

Here you go:

http://www.alerg.com/page/A/PROD/TK/AVC8100

Nickel Allergy

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Kristine,

Sorry to hear you have nickel allergy. If it helps knowing, you are not alone. It is estimated that between 30-40% of US women are nickel allergic.

This is my first ever blog response, so forgive me if I am not following proper blog etiquette.

I hope the following information will help with your nickel allergy and allow you to wear whatever jewelry you like. I developed these products after working in the dermatology industry for 20 years…specializing in contact dermatitis.

Nickel is found almost everywhere! Nickel is used in most metal and metal plated objects including gold because it is inexpensive, durable and lustrous.

The key to reducing your symptoms is to identify nickel BEFORE your skin does.

All metal items suspected of containing nickel may be tested with a simple integrated dimethylglyoxime test called Nickel Alert™. Nickel Alert quickly, safely, and easily tests jewelry and other metal items for the presence of nickel and cobalt. It will turn a cotton swab pink in nickel is present or yellow for cobalt.

The most likely reason that you are having problems with jewelry that previously caused no problems is that the plating has worn (even microscopically) and now is transferring nickel salts which cause the reaction. Have you ever noticed your allergy was worse in the summer time? Perspiration aids in the transmission of nickel salts to your skin.

Clear nail polish has its draw backs because many contain Toluene, Formaldehyde or Dibutyl Phathalate. These chemicals have been proven to cause further sensitization to other ingredients in cosmetics and lead to additional rashes. Nickel Guard is a clear coating developed wit out Toluene, Formaldehyde or Dibutyl Phathalate that allows you wear whatever jewelry or clothing you like without coming in contact with nickel.

For more information on nickel allergy, Nickel Alert or Nickel Guard, please visit www.nickelsolution.com. If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I hoped this helped. Good Luck! Lea

[thargoid5.livejournal.com]

When I Was young I used to have watches strapped on real tight. the metal played havoc with my skin and it went all grose like.

So I put invisible cellotape on the base of the watch and that fixed the problem.

and then i juststarted wearing my watches loose so it wasn't a problem at all.

In your instance, i dont recommend sellotape.

You could coat the jewellery in silicon. That'll stop it from tarnishing as well..just make sure you buff it up as much as you can before you spray it.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Except for one pair of earrings from le Mart du Kay, I have had very good luck with sterling silver. 14k earrings don't work for me. My 18k gold Darlene Coltrane ring is starting to give me trouble (argh--I love that ring), as well as the stainless steel back of my Pretty Good Watch.

The kicker today was a bracelet from Lia Sophia that started bothering me about a half hour after I put it on. I can wear LS earrings because the posts are hypoallergenic. But the non-treated surfaces are killers.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Re: Nickel Allergy

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the information!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I have to try something, because things that never used to bother me are starting to bother me.