Gold ring allergy is not a true gold allergy. Rather, it stems from the nickel content of your gold ring. It presents as itchy, red rash and it is an example of contact dermatitis. With gold rings, several kinds of allergies can exist: real gold allergy, which is rare; allergy to the nickel in gold rings which, according to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, affects 24 percent to 36 percent of women and 7 percent to 15 percent of men; old ring allergy; and surface irritation from moisture and soap trapped under your gold ring. Both gold ring allergies from the nickel in gold and the surface irritation caused my trapped dirt cause itchy, red welts and are difficult to tell apart.
The Nature of the Allergy
Gold ring allergy starts with the inflammation of the skin under ring. The inflamed skin turns red, itches, becomes rough and scaly and might even break out into blisters. The onset of gold ring allergy is often delayed; it can start after years of wearing the same gold ring. The protective layer of gold has been slowly stripped off to expose the skin to the nickel content. It is the nickel salts formed when the metal leaches that triggers the allergy when it enters the body. Once you are sensitized to nickel, you will always be allergic to the metal.
The Nickel Coin Test
You can do a patch test at a dermatologist’s office if you want to know whether you are allergic to nickel. However, you can do a modified form of the test, the nickel coin test, at home. A typical nickel coin contains 25 percent nickel and can be used. Tape the coin to the inside of your arm for 48 hours. Remove it and wait eight to 24 hours for signs of contact dermatitis.
Hypoallergenic Jewelry and Other Safe Metals
Your costume gold jewelry has the highest chance of causing gold ring allergies. You can try 10-karat, 14-karat and 18-karat gold rings if you develop allergies to those with lower purities. However, 24-karat gold is too soft to fashion into rings and if you do find one, you can be sure it has a hardener added to which you may also be allergic.
Apart from 24-karat gold, other safe metals to consider are palladium, platinum, titanium, stainless steel and sterling silver. However, some of these are not truly hypoallergenic because they sometimes have small amounts of nickel. Allergies to palladium are now reported while platinum, stainless steel and sterling silver are occasionally mixed with nickel or have allergies of their own. Titanium is the safest choice because the metal contains the least amount of nickel and totally bonds whatever nickel is present.
Prevention and Treatment
You can treat the contact dermatitis caused by the gold ring allergy with moisturizers, topical steroids and antihistamines. To prevent the nickel from leaching from the gold ring, have it electroplated or add a coat of Nickel Guard between the ring and your skin. Always keep your gold ring clean and dry.
