Nickel allergy and jewelry

Do you have nickel allergy? Or would you like to know more about this? On this page, we tell you everything you need to know about nickel allergy and jewelry. We’ll tell you more about the symptoms and show you what to look for when choosing the right jewelry in case of a nickel allergy.

What is nickel allergy?

A nickel allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system to nickel, a metal commonly found in stainless steel items, coins, jewelry and other metal objects. It is one of the most common forms of contact allergy.

When a person has a nickel allergy, even a small amount of nickel on the skin can cause an allergic reaction. This can manifest as symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling, rashes and sometimes even blisters in the areas where the skin has come into contact with nickel.

People with nickel allergies should be careful when choosing jewelry and may need to opt for nickel-free options, such as jewelry made from surgical steel, titanium or gold.

Nickel allergy symptoms

Nickel allergy is a contact allergy, so these symptoms appear only after prolonged skin contact. When you remove the nickel, in most cases the symptoms also disappear quickly. Are the symptoms not going away or are they bothering you a lot? If so, always consult your doctor.

Common symptoms of a nickel allergy are:

• Itch;
• A burning sensation;
• Red spots on the skin;
• Broken (cracked) skin.

In extreme cases, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Blisters or fluid blisters;
• Flaky skin;
• Swelling;
• Eczema. It is possible to get eczema in places other than where your skin has been in contact with nickel allergy.

Dealing with a nickel allergy

Dealing with a nickel allergy is done by avoiding nickel as much as possible. The material is found in many everyday objects, which can make it difficult to completely avoid the material.

However, you can choose not to wear jewelry with nickel anymore. It is also important to keep your skin clean and dry to avoid possible irritations. Of course, don’t forget to clean your jewelry.

Using the right skin care products can also help reduce skin irritations. Use skin protective sprays if necessary to form a barrier between the skin and any nickel-containing products.

Also read: suitable alternatives to wedding rings

Nickel-free jewelry

To experience no more or less trouble from your nickel allergy, it is best to stop wearing jewelry that contains nickel. Instead, choose pure materials such as silver, gold or titanium.

Pay extra close attention to the composition of the jewelry. Jewelry with low gold content (below 12 carats) usually contains a lot of nickel. You can always check with the seller or find this on the specific product page. You can also read more about how to recognize real gold here.

How can you be sure there is no nickel in my jewelry?

If you want to be sure of nickel-free jewelry, it is advisable to buy only jewelry that is stated to be nickel-free. Also, with high-quality materials such as silver and gold, with a high number of carats, you are basically always right. On this page you will find more information about the difference between 14, 18 and 24 karat gold.

Having doubts? If you have a nickel allergy, it is always advisable to do additional research on the jewelry brand or ask your questions of the seller. This way you can be sure that you buy the right jewelry and do not experience nickel allergy.

Also read: from what age to shoot earrings?