9ct gold allergy

[littlem133]

Is anyone only allergic to 9ct gold?! It's completely made my finger blister 3 times now. I just had it rhodium played and it did it again within 12 hrs!!

[FadedRed]

I'm no metallurgist, but think you are most likely allergic to whatever they mixed in (e.g. nickel, copper, palladium) with the gold, rather than the gold itself? Maybe nickel, which is a common allergen.
The old trick was to paint the inside with clear nail varnish so the metal is not touching the skin, but whether this will work, if you are reacting to the rhodium coating, is debateable.
Do you react to other metals? or higher grade gold (18 or 22 carat)?

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

I was tested and found to be allergic to gold, got my jewellery rhodium plated but don't wear it often, its hard to know when I break out as I'm allergic to a few things so err on the side of caution.

[Penfold007]

I get a rash like that from anything containing nickel. How old is the ring? Most modern jewellery precious metals don't contain nickel for this reason.

[littlem133]

It's a brand new ring from last year! Got it back from the jewellers on Saturday after they rhodium plated it for me and within hours my finger had blistered up. They checked my other jewellery and it's all 18ct and platinum.

[NanTheWiser]

I have one to match, OP. It has been ongoing for the last 8-9 months. I highly doubt it's an allergy, if you google "wedding ring rash" you'll find a lot of info about this problem as it's very common. Most likely is dermatitis, or possibly yeast/fungal infection (I've also been suffering from intertrigo under my boobage for months too - which is a sweat rash that attracts yeast, treated it with Daktacort). My wedding ring is very tight (slow weight gain over the years) and is a PITA to get on and off, every time I put it back on the rash appears within 24 hours.

Some sufferers have had success doing the following: soak the ring in a solution of 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part hydrogen peroxide in a small dish for at least 15 minutes. Follow that by boiling the ring in a pan of water (suspending in pan using a skewer and string) for at least 30 minutes. This removes any bacteria lurking inside the ring, and stops the rash! No idea if it works but I'm going to give it a go.

I've worn my ring for 20+ years with no problems, and other rings don't cause a rash, so I'm pretty sure it's not an allergic reaction.

[crackedphone]

could be an metal allergy, certainly nickel is the most common.

any other problems in odd areas, such as belts and studs from jeans?

[stealthsquiggle]

Nickel is the issue for me - but as PP said, if it's that then you would have issues with, for example, the rivets in jeans. I was fine for years wearing cheap and nasty jewellery before I started reacting, but now cannot wear anything other than silver or 18ct gold.

[littlem133]

Not got a problem with any other metal things-Jean buttons or cheap costume jewellery for example. It's definitely just that ring which has been cleaned by me and professionally! 18ct and platinum from now on!

[Borninthe60s]

I sometimes have similar problem and find its when i wash hands and dont dry under ring.

Try drying hands thoroughly and apply good thick moisturiser.

[Penfold007]

little what happens when you leave the ring off, does it quickly heal? Can you wear a different ring without issues?

[littlem133]

It dries and scans over (soz!!) then I can put my engagement and wedding rings back on no probs.

[Penfold007]

Um!! might be worth getting it checked out by a pharmacist they may be able to give some advice.

[keySensitiveJewellery]

one of the main irritants that can cause localised skin problems of itching and swelling is nickel. Please note a list of allergens to jewellery is non-exhaustive! Nickel is one of the most common allergens in jewellery ( it’s also used in 9ct and 18ct gold).Anyway please look at our Blog: //www.keysensitivejewellery.co.uk/blog/
Hope this helps,