Besides never being cured from this allergy, you'll find that you're
more than likely to break out with an allergic reaction in the summertime, when you're hot and sweaty too.
Great fun in the sun! Oddly though, most people can tolerate their Allergies in the icy, cold, Winter!
So what can be done about a Gold Allergy? First, try a higher Gold content. If 10kt Gold breaks you out, upgrade to 14kt Gold. If 14kt Gold gives you rashes, move on up to 18kt Gold. If that doesn't work, then give up! Anything higher in Gold content is usually too soft to wear as Jewelry.
Some people will say they get by with coating the inside of their rings with clear fingernail polish. Whether this works or not, I don't know. I would think not, since the polish would wear off quickly and no matter what, your fingers will still be touching the sides of the ring.
This is what I say about Gold... "Forget Gold!" Buy Jewelry that doesn't have nickel in it like Stainless Steel, Titanium, Platinum, Copper, Silver or Hypoallergenic Jewelry! Copper is questionable since it leaves a horrible green stain on your skin that's hard to scrub off. Platinum is great if your wallet can afford it. Platinum is extremely expensive and may still contain traces of nickel in it though. No matter what, you may want to check it out! Sterling Silver is also pure and contains no nickel, but Silver is soft and tarnishes easily. I wouldn't use it to hold my Diamonds!
So the metal of choice for people allergic to Gold and Nickel would be Titanium. Titanium is a gun-metal colored, white metal, that's pure, light-weight and very durable. I have yet to find a person ever allergic to Titanium. (Not that I've tried!) I highly recommend it. You can find pretty much all types of Jewelry in Titanium. Jewelry like Rings, Watches, Earrings and Pendants.
And just so you know, the worst Jewelry to buy if you have Gold Allergies is Costume Jewelry. Costume Jewelry is Cheap Jewelry that's always plated. You're just asking for trouble. Anything that's Gold Plated will be stamped GP inside the shank. It can also be stamped GF for Gold Filled. Same difference! Costume Jewelry contains a thin coating of Gold that's layered over a cheap base metal usually containing nickel. Stay away from these!
A couple of things you can do to curve nickel allergies: Ask for porcelain crowns and dental caps. Don't put Gold or Nickel in your mouth! You mouth absorbs nickels quickly into the bloodstream and can cause reactions to appear anywhere on your body.
If you do get your ears pierced, (Or get anything else pierced for that matter!) make sure they use a stainless steel needle to do the piercing. Remember this if you decide to get your little girl's ears pierced also. Parents don't think about this, but if it's pierced with a needle that contains nickel, or if you buy her cheap earrings that contain nickel, you could give your child an allergy for life! Always get pierced with surgical stainless steel needles!
A couple of more things to consider about Gold Allergies... If your ring is too tight on your finger, or if it's hollowed out and air and moisture and sweat get trapped underneath the ring, you'll likely break out in a bumpy, red, rash! Keep your rings clean and dry and make sure they're sized properly. It'll help prevent any Gold irritations.
So what is the best advice for people Allergic to Gold? Read on...
