Gold Allergy
I’m allergic to my earrings, which are 14k gold?
I’m starting to have symptoms of allergy in both ears, what can I do to stop them?
Best Answer:
A mild skin reaction to gold is a greenish stain on the skin directly in contact with the gold and is often mistaken for a gold allergy but is actually oxidation from sodium chloride via skin perspiration which slightly corrodes the metal. Fine jewelry, such as 18-karat gold, oxidizes far less, so the discoloring usually doesn’t occur with those pieces.
With that being said there are people who do have jewelry allergies that can cause severe skin rashes and hives, so if there is any doubt, visit an allergy doctor for your piece of mind.
Consider heading out to buy hypoallergenic stainless steel or platinum.
Hope this helps … try stainless steel first because it’s cheaper!
Related Posts: Jewelry Allergy and Nickel Allergy.
About the Author: David Herschthal, MD, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (Dermatologist)