Can you be allergic to metal?

[Anonymous]

I had to stop wearing earrings years ago because they were just constantly infected or irritated, no matter what type of metal I wore. Now I have gotten to the point that I cannot even wear any necklaces with even a trace of metal on them (even just the clasp) or else it irritates my skin to the point that I feel like my skin is burning. Once I take it off it gets better immediately. Even the back cover of a watch drives my skin crazy
Has anyone else experienced this?
I have started wearing bead necklaces, etc for work but what about formal affairs? What kind of jewelry would you wear to a dressy event like a wedding?
Do I see an allergist or a derm for this? Or just avoid all metals?

[Anonymous]

I thought the biggest offender is nickel, which is mixed in most jewelry.

[Anonymous]

Yes...my mother could only wear silver and 14K gold...otherwise she'd break out.

[Anonymous]

Pearls for a wedding?

[Anonymous]

I've never been able to wear anything but 14 k gold in my ears or they get red, scaly, and pus covered. It is gross.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem. I don't wear much jewelry because of it. I can only wear gold earrings and I don't wear rings or necklaces very often, maybe once or twice a year.

[Anonymous]

I'm the same way. I am least reactive to 14k gold and silver.

[Anonymous]

My father is allergic to gold, but can wear others metals without a problem.

[Anonymous]

I am allergic to metal too, and can only wear 24 ct gold, much to my husband's annoyance. On the positive side, I read somewhere that people who are allergic to metals have a lower risk of most cancers.

[Anonymous]

I can't wear silver or copper at all. I wear gold (yellow, abjure, rose are all ok) and surgical steel. Otherwise, I'll break out and have serious skin reactions. Nothing overnight though...

[Anonymous]

*abjure*?! How did autocorrect get THAT from *white*?! sorry...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought the biggest offender is nickel, which is mixed in most jewelry.

Most people would agree that the biggest offender is nickel. That's why many less expensive earrings have tags that state "14k" or sterling silver posts.

[Anonymous]

I have the same issue. Had a white gold ring that would make my finger blister. Wearing any earrings (even stn stl or gold) for any length of time always irritates my ears.

Platinum rings doesn't seem to bother me though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the same issue. Had a white gold ring that would make my finger blister. Wearing any earrings (even stn stl or gold) for any length of time always irritates my ears.

Platinum rings doesn't seem to bother me though.

Now there's a "less expensive" alternative!!

[Anonymous]

I can't wear any earrings. Even platinum causes itching, redness, and irritation. But I wear necklaces, rings, and bracelets with no problem. I've never understood why.