Understanding jewellery Allergies: Keeping Your Skin Happy and Your Sparkle On

There's nothing quite like the joy of adorning yourself with beautiful jewellery. However, for many, this joy can quickly turn into discomfort, itching, and redness due to jewellery allergies. These reactions, a form of allergic contact dermatitis, occur when your skin comes into contact with certain metals. Understanding what causes these allergies, recognising symptoms, and knowing how to choose hypoallergenic alternatives is crucial for keeping your skin happy and your sparkle on.

The Usual Suspects: Common Metal Allergens

The vast majority of jewellery allergies are caused by nickel, a silvery-white metal often alloyed with gold, silver, or platinum to add strength, or used as a base metal in plated costume jewellery. Even if a piece is labelled "gold" or "silver," it might contain nickel, particularly if it's not high-karat gold or pure sterling silver. Once a nickel allergy develops, it typically lasts a lifetime. Less commonly, metals like cobalt and chromium can also trigger reactions. Copper, often found in rose gold, can cause green discolouration, which is usually oxidation rather than an allergy.

Recognising the Symptoms: What to Look For

Jewellery allergy symptoms typically appear within 12 to 48 hours of contact. The reaction is usually localised to where the metal touched the skin, manifesting as redness, an itchy rash, or irritation. Swelling, dry patches, or scaly skin resembling eczema can also occur. In more severe cases, tiny fluid-filled blisters may form, sometimes weeping or crusting over. If you notice these signs after wearing earrings, rings, or necklaces, it strongly indicates a jewellery allergy.

Treatment and Prevention: Keeping Skin Calm

If you experience an allergic reaction, immediately remove the offending jewellery. For mild symptoms, topical corticosteroid creams can reduce inflammation and itching. Moisturising with fragrance-free lotions helps soothe the skin. If symptoms are severe, persistent, or show signs of infection, consult a dermatologist. The best approach is prevention: once an allergy to a specific metal like nickel is identified, avoid contact with it entirely.

Choosing Hypoallergenic jewellery: Safe and Stylish Options

Fortunately, beautiful hypoallergenic jewellery minimises allergy risks. Look for pieces made from highly skin-friendly materials: platinum, high-karat gold (18K or 24K, ensuring no nickel in white gold alloys), titanium, niobium, or surgical stainless steel (specifically 316L or implant-grade). While most tolerate sterling silver, confirm it's nickel-free if you have severe sensitivities. At Xazina, we prioritise comfort; inquire about our hypoallergenic options, ensuring your chosen adornment, including pieces featuring stunning lab-grown diamonds, is as comfortable as it is beautiful.