If you are experiencing tenderness, swelling, blistering or a rash where you wear jewelry, there's a good chance you're allergic to the gold or another metal alloy in your jewelry. Allergic reactions to gold vary from person to person and may not show up for one to two days after contact, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about the jewelry you're wearing.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction that occurs when your skin is exposed to an irritant such as gold. Although your skin may not react the first time your skin is exposed to the metal, you may develop an allergy over time. So you suddenly may not be able to wear the gold jewelry that you've worn for many years.
Other Causes
Depending on the composition of your yellow-gold jewelry, another metal in your jewelry could be causing the reaction. Metal alloys are often used in jewelry to give gold strength. Eighteen-karat gold is 75 percent 24-karat gold, while the remaining 25 percent contains one or more metal alloys such as copper, nickel or zinc. Fourteen-karat yellow gold is 58.3 percent pure 24-karat gold. The remainder is one or more metal alloys. You may want to see your doctor for an allergy test to find out which metal is causing the reaction.
Treatment
Wash the affected area with warm water and soap, and stop wearing the jewelry. Use an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream or ointment, or speak with your doctor about prescription medication. Use cold compresses and calamine lotion to soothe the affected area and relieve itching, the Mayo Clinic suggests.
Prevention
If you simply can't bear to stop wearing your jewelry, take precautionary measures. Keep the skin dry around and under the area that you wear the jewelry. Sweating can aggravate and worsen your condition. Also, wipe off your jewelry after you wear it, and clean it regularly. Impure yellow gold tends to wear over time, exposing your skin to the alloy or alloys, so keep the jewelry in an air-tight bag or container that is void of contaminants when you're not wearing it. Consider coating the inside of your jewelry with clear nail polish on occasion to keep your skin from coming into direct contact with the metals. Alternatively, consider wearing titanium and platinum jewelry, which trigger fewer allergies. Be aware, though, that your platinum jewelry may also contain alloys.
Considerations
If your allergic reaction has not cleared up a few days after you've stopped wearing your jewelry, see your doctor. You may have an infection or another skin condition altogether.
