What causes an allergic reaction to gold?

Answer 1

This skin reaction might come on so suddenly eliminating most of the causes of jewelry smudges and reactions on the skin. This “allergy” may be in-fact better called an extreme “sensitivity” to certain things.

THE PRIMARY CULPRIT MIGHT BE WHITE GOLD.
The recipe for jewelry gold is generally pure gold, mixed with certain amounts of copper, silver and smaller amounts of other metals. The recipe is melted into a uniform metal. This is what makes the “karat” golds and determines the karat. For instance, 14 kt gold will have 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts made of other metals. The total is 24 parts. Think of pure gold as 24 karat and this makes sense. Pure gold is mixed with other metals and the result is called an alloy, or mix of metals made to produce a metal made for a specific purpose.

Gold is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough for jewelry wear and to make the color desired. Color? Pure gold is very yellow. White gold is an alloy or mix of metals with the white colored metal NICKEL added. Some white gold uses another metal but most uses nickel. Nickel makes the alloy a white color: The metal is “almost white” and sometimes a tinge of the yellow will show slightly.

Why is WHITE GOLD the likely culprit? It is the nickel in the alloy. Some people cannot wear white gold at all, since they are sensitive to nickel. This is not uncommon at all.

Generally, a sudden change in sensitivity indicates either a change in the body chemistry, a change on what is “on” the skin(cosmetics, etc.) or some more outside environmental change. Keep in mind, there is at least one solution that does work for many women even if it must be repeated ever so often.

Body chemistry is affected by medicines, diets, etc. Medicines are the quickest to bring possible changes in body chemistry(and changes in perspiration, etc.) which may cause sensitivity to metals, especially the nickel in white gold. Different hand lotions or cosmetics play a limited role in this, with the cosmetics being minute abrasives that actually will scrape away minute portions of the metal from jewelry. Of course, that is generally a neck and ear problem, not on fingers!

Physical changes in hormones and just about anything can affect the skin, though skin oils and perspiration play a part.

External conditions which have changed or changes to the jewelry itself may play a part in the sensitivity dermatitis reaction. For instance, salty air in a beach or ocean type area can lead to a combination of chemical salts that form from the air and perspiration and moisture which can affect gold. If these chemicals are not cleaned from the jewelry often, reactions can happen. You will not “see” the chemicals and cleaning is recommended often. A gentle wash with a dishwashing detergent(never use soap!!!) is sufficient.

Chlorine is a major problem with white gold. This means swimming pools, hot tubs, having your hands and ring in bleaches, etc. Chlorine actually reacts with the metals in the white gold mix. This can cause prongs to break, cracks to form and quite possibly allow more contact with the skin of the “nickel” parts of the alloy. You see, while most yellow gold does not react significantly to chlorine, nickel based white gold can actually be “corroded” in a microscopic way. The microscopic damage might just allow more chemical nickel metal contact with the skin.

Answer 2

First answer could not be more wrong!! Gold is inert and there is not one recorded case of anyone being allergic to it!! Indeed gold is used to put a very fine coat on things for people allergic to other substances!! There are two possible answers to your problem. First pure gold is so soft you could eat it. Therefore other metals are added to give it the hardness required so if there is an allergy involved it is likely to be from the added metal. But far more likely is a sweat rash, or infection of the skin!! You need to see a doctor who will either know what it is or refer you to a dermatologist. But do not get rid of the ring - it is not the gold causing the problem!! Good luck!!

Answer 3

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Most individuals are allergic to nickel. Even gold and silver cause reactions in some individuals although in a very small percentage. Metals lead to skin allergies. Individuals reacting to metals are liable to break into hives or the skin starts itching along with swelling in that area. Turning red or purple in the area coming in contact with the metal is another common reaction. Avoidance of such metals that cause reactions would be the best choice for individuals suffering from such skin allergies.

Answer 4

Pure gold is practically never sold as jewelry or for most other uses; it is very soft, and bends too easily for most uses. Instead, it is usually combined with another metal in an alloy; copper, silver, nickel, and other metals are used. If a piece of jewelry is 14ct gold, then it is 14 parts gold, 10 parts "base" metal. When you have a reaction to gold, you are almost certainly having a reaction to the other metal in the item you're using or wearing. Gold is a very non-reactive metal (one reason it's used in electrical circuits and on space vehicles, so they don't corrode); the chances of actually reacting to gold are extremely slim.

Answer 5

Not so sure it is the gold but the metal it is mixed with. If I wear less than 14 c gold it breaks out that area of skin where it touches.

Answer 6

Your body has decided that it is going to react to gold, so it is the immune system that is doing it - usually immunoglobulin E. When an antigen (gold, nickel, bacteria, viruses etc.) is found in the body, antibodies attack it and mount an increased response to the presence of the antigen.

Answer 7

whenever my partner suggests getting married I get an allergic reaction to Gold, Silver and Platinum.

Answer 8

it probably contains nickel - so not true gold!!!