Causes and prevention of metal allergies from earrings

Prologue

While there are many accessories like bracelets, rings, and necklaces, earrings are a must-have for many women. However, precisely because so many people wear them, many also suffer from metal allergies. Let's explore the causes of allergies that occur when wearing earrings and piercings, and how to prevent and deal with them.

 

Causes of Earring Metal Allergies

Most common metal allergies are nickel allergies. Of course, in rare cases, some people are allergic to metals like gold and silver.

Nickel, a component of metals, is a main ingredient in stainless steel, which we often come into contact with, and is also found as an impurity in various precious metals. Nickel allergy, the most common type of metal allergy, is so widespread that 10-20% of the population has it. Symptoms include redness and swelling of the earlobes, discharge, pus, and itching.

But why do metal allergy symptoms occur even when not wearing accessories primarily made of nickel?

The cause is "plating." Nickel is an ingredient that helps plating last longer, shine, and be more durable. Therefore, plated accessories invariably contain nickel. You cannot be completely safe even if the needle of the earring or piercing you wear is made of pure gold, pure silver, or metals like surgical steel or titanium, which will be explained later, which do not contain nickel.

 

If the accessory itself is plated, or if it comes into direct contact with the skin, an allergic reaction can still occur.

 

 

"So, if I just buy accessories that aren't gold-plated, I'll be fine," one might think. However, most accessories we buy undergo a plating process. Without plating, most accessories would discolor. Moreover, gold plating is done to achieve vivid colors and shine. Therefore, it is quite rare to find unplated accessories.

 

 

Prevention Methods

Basically, you can avoid common allergic reactions by using surgical steel or titanium, which are nickel-free, in contact with the skin.

However, as explained earlier, if gold-plated accessories touch the skin, an allergic reaction can still occur. In the case of earrings and piercings, allergies can also be caused by nickel from the needle touching the plating during the plating process, even if only slightly. In such cases, applying jewelry shield to the part of the accessory that touches the skin can prevent allergies. This is a product already used by many people suffering from metal allergies.