My Mom swore for years that she was
allergic to Gold.
She said that anything under 14kt Gold would break her out in a rash. I used to laugh and think it was just her way of getting more expensive Jewelry, but then I found out, there's truth to this here madness!
Turns out, she wasn't allergic to Gold, or as she says "Cheap Gold", she was allergic to Nickel.
Allergic to Nickel?
Just about everyone that says they are Allergic to Gold are not Allergic to Gold, but are actually Allergic to the Nickel in the Gold! Allergies to Nickel is known as Dermatitus or Eczema. Interestingly enough, I found out a lot of people are allergic to Nickel. What's funny is, people can wear their Rings and Jewelry for 40 years and never be affected by it, then suddenly it seems, overnight, they start getting reactions. Hmmm...
Allergy Signs
The signs of Gold and Nickel Allergies are: Itchiness, Rashes, Blisters, Redness, Bumps, Swelling, Puffiness, Broken Skin, Puss, Bleeding, Burning Sensations and Discoloration (Like black marks and dark stains). Ouch! Painful, Gross stuff!
Some people will never know what actually causes their allergy to sprout up. Studies have shown that getting a Gold Allergy can be as simple as getting a new Dental Cap or Crown. There's Nickel in those Caps! Others often get symptoms after getting their ears pierced.
Still others get Gold or Nickel Allergies from everyday household items like:
Coins! Coins? Yep, Coins! Cashiers beware! You may need to start wearing gloves to handle that money. Even carrying coins in your pocket can leak Nickel and cause Allergies to flare up. Other common things are: Zippers, Buttons, Bra Hooks, Paperclips, Eye Glasses, Hairpins, Lipstick Holders, Keys and Key chains, Razors, Lighters, Knives, Pens, Purse Handles, Needles, Scissors, Staplers, Teapots, Toasters, Kitchen Utensils and even Vacuum Cleaners! (Good reason to say "I don't do floors!")
How many people are Allergic?
It's been said that 12% of the people (mostly women) are allergic to Nickel. (Some even more during THAT time of the month!) But here's the bizarre thing... it's not the Nickel that causes Nickel Allergies! What? When you break it down, it's actually the Nickel Salts! You see, when your Gold Jewelry gets wet, damp, or gets sweat and moisture on it from your skin or lotions and creams, it can erode the Jewelry and cause corrosion to the Nickel content in your Rings. That corrosion causes bubbles, dents, pitting, and roughness to appear on the Gold. (You can actually see Gold Plated Jewelry rust and corrode right off the base metal.) (See Picture!) That corrosion irritates the skin it comes in contact with, mixes with your perspiration and causes Nickel Salts to enter your bloodstream and cells.
Allergic for Life!
The sad thing is, once you become sensitive to Gold or Nickel Allergies, you'll always be allergic to it. You can take your rings off for months and not have any reactions and think you're cured, and all it takes is simply putting your rings back on for just a little while, a day, a couple hours, even the slightest contact, and you'll be quickly broken out with blisters, puffiness, burning rashes and black discoloration. Point blank: There is no easy cure to a Gold or Nickel Allergy! Just prevention!
And you want to know what the sad thing is? Read on...
