What is a metal Allergy?

Have you bought a new piece of jewelry and developed pain, redness, itching, or red bumps within minutes of wearing it? If the answer is yes you may have a metal allergy,

A metal allergy is an allergic reaction when the immune system overreacts to certain metals, typically when they come into contact with the skin. This condition is also known as metal hypersensitivity. The most common metals used in Jewellery are Brass, copper, zinc, Nickel, Aluminium, and chromium. 

Brass:  a core metal that is durable and inexpensive, if you have a reaction when wearing brass the reaction is probably from the copper being mixed with zinc or copper.

Copper: affordable core metal that is durable and very malleable, rare to have a reaction

Zinc: Base metal that is corrosion-resistant, an allergy to zinc is common but severe symptoms are rare and should be looked at by a physician.

Nickel: Durable , inexpensive and brightens other metals, this allergy is common and is a reaction to the main chemical element Nickel.

Aluminium: Lightweight, resistant to tarnish and easy to manipulate, common allergy and can also be found in deodorants and vaccines.

Chromium:  Hardness and wear resistance, used as a protective barrier when plated on a piece of jewellery. A chromium allergy is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to chromium salts, which is a common metal allergy.

If you have any kind of moderate to severe reaction after wearing a new or old piece of Jewellery it's advised to seek medical attention.

The good news is many companies make jewellery that is hypoallergenic that most individuals will not react to. If you do have metal allergies stick to jewellery that is made or palted more than twice with 18-karat gold, titanium, or stainless steel. The purity of the metal is what makes it more or less hypoallergenic. For example, pure 24-karat gold is generally hypoallergenic.

At House of Huxter Jewellery, all of our pieces are dipped three times in 18K gold!

Cheers!

House of Huxter