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Here's to Your Health: Allergy to wedding rings?  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 07:47:25 AM
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I know this sounds crazy, but I've been married now for 5.5 years, and just this summer, I started noticing, not just with my antique engagement and wedding rings, but also with another estate rose gold piece, that sometimes, they leave a "blackish" mark on my fingers, and then I break out in a itchy rash just where the rings have been. I stop wearing my rings when it happens (and I really hate to not wear my wedding rings)until it helas up and goes away, and then put them on again, only to have it happen a week or so later again. Initially I thought it was poison Ivy, but if it keeps happening, what else could it be? If it's an allergy, why would it just start now? Could I be lacking something in my system?
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
    
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 08:33:43 AM
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I used to have that happen years ago (first marriage) too. I have a problem with metals anyhow...especially necklaces and earrings..wear them but not for more than a couple hours at a time....When I was about 30 it just stopped happening. I hope you have an answer. I do know that some metals are worse to cause a rash on me..but my first wedding set was 18 carat gold..you would think it would be better than a cheaper metal..it wasn't. Sterling silver dosn't seem to bother me at all. Ihope someone has an answer for you!!
Jenny in Utah Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 09:07:10 AM
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I am allergic to yellow gold. Whne I was married to Grace's dna donor my ring (even though he KNEW I was allergic) had yellow gold accents with the white gold and I broke out tremendously and rarely wore my rings because I felt that a) it wa s a sign of things to come and b) it hurt like hell!
Rob gave me a white gold band with diamonds and sapphires. It never leaves my finger.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~ Tasha-Rose blog: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 09:37:10 AM
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I have my engagement and wedding ring hooked together and can't wear them. Everytime I do my the underside of my finger starts itching and gets a rash. Someone was mentioning that you can have a coating put on them to help with this problem.
Handmade purses and bath delights at www.rusticcottagecreations.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 09:49:51 AM
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Well, I am sorry that others experience this, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! Sterling silver doesn't bother me at all, either....Does anyone have allergies to nickel? I have heard that gold has some nickel alloy--is that true or false? I know that years ago, I had a TERRIBLE reaction to bath and body works soap, because of a nickel allergy (good to know that soap is so full of good things!!!)These rings are 18K, but are old--my engagement ring is from 1910 and my band is from 1890, but was never worn. The rose gold ring is also 18K and from 1890---metals were certainly different then, and the rose gold has a bit of copper in it, as well. I'm thinking I'll contact the jeweler and see if I can ask about that coating....this is my second marriage (my first I didn't even GET a ring), and this one works, so I'm going to do my best to make these rings, work, too :)
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
    
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 09:55:15 AM
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I am allergic to Nickel and Chrome. Nickel is in the gold until you get to 24kt. Chrome is in Stainless steel. I can't wear any metal jewlery.I also have a ton of problems with makeup and skin care because of these allergies. I don't wear my wedding or my engagement rings because of the rash they give me. My hubby doesn't mind, he jokes how he can buy me more cows now that he doesn't have to waste money on jewelry. Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/ follow your dreams |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
    
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 10:52:34 AM
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I have been wearing a silver simple band (says eternity on it) for the last 6 years..My wedding set (gold)is in the jewelry box...it makes me itch some too.
Jenny in Utah Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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lilpunkin
True Blue Farmgirl
   
368 Posts
Texas
USA
368 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 12:30:24 PM
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Well, I would think you were allergic to the metal if it just started happening. But since you have been wearing the rings for 5 years and it just started happening makes me think otherwise. Your hormones may have changed and that can have an affect on things like that. Womens hormones can make alot of things change. Heck, I always had the straightest hair, but now I have alot of natural curl in it. So if I want it straight I now have to use a straightner. Go figure! So maybe you could trace it back and figure it out.
lilpunkin |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
    
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 2:19:30 PM
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My niece is allergic to nickel and has such a hard time wearing jewelery. I hope that's not it. Have you taken your rings to be cleaned? Sometimes the cleaners and soaps that we use build up under the rings and cause irritation. My wedding ring is a bit chunky and there were times that the skin underneath would get itchy and then start to flake off. (Really attractive.) A good cleaning usually did the trick, along with some cortisone cream. Now I take them off when I clean just to be safe. I hope you can find a solution!!
Karin |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
    
22943 Posts

Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22943 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 2:38:47 PM
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People can develop new allergies- This might be happening to you. My mom's rings leave a dark ring on her fingers, but it does not give her a rash. Perhaps if you spoke to a jewler there would be some sort of treatment they could do to the rings? Or perhaps wear them on a necklace instead of on your finger? |
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ali2583
True Blue Farmgirl
   
404 Posts
Alison
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Canada
404 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 4:28:19 PM
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I had the same thing happen, where my jewellery left a black mark behind, except it was with earrings, not a ring. My earlobe got swollen and puffy, and when I was finally able to get the earrings out, I had a big pile of black junk left behind. I took a while, but my ears healed eventually. I was upset because my grandma had bought me the earrings in Europe, and they were Swarovski crystals. Oh well.
I like Alee's idea of wearing wedding rings on a necklace. Hope that works well!
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
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katiedid
True Blue Farmgirl
    
601 Posts
Kate
West Jordan
Utah
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - Oct 18 2006 : 5:12:05 PM
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My allergy to metals has gotten alot worse as I get older..I used to be allergic to nickle so earrings and stuff would make me itch..now it is everything..including a stainless steel watch back and make-up...My allergies are alot like LadyCrystals...I have never really been tested, I just avoid the things that bother me...which is almost everything pretty!!
Kate
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2006 : 08:54:58 AM
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Wow! I can't believe how many others have this problem! I can only wear stirling silver against my skin. A jeweler told me that it was most likely because of the nickle in gold.
Trina
' Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Proverbs 27:23 |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
    
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Oct 19 2006 : 11:40:04 AM
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This is all so interesting--Kate, you mentioned a stainless steel watch back--it reminded me that I had a totally stainless steel Skaagen watch (band and face) a few years back that would literally leave red "burn" type marks where the band went around my wrist. They were almost "leathery" when they healed, but I thought it was because I washed dishes with it, got my arm wet alot and didn't dry appropriately...Also, what Karin described is exactly the way my fingers look after the itchy bumps go away. It isn't pretty. I'm not wearing them again today, but I think I'll hit the jeweler next week to get them cleaned up really well and ask about the coating. My birthday is tomorrow--sure hope I don't get any jewerly until I figure this out!!!
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2006 : 6:28:46 PM
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I have heard that you can use clear nail polish for coating, haven't tried it myself.
My engagement ring had a small burr on it and when I wore it for a year I actually ended up with a callous under the ring that was very irritated and sometimes even bled before i realized what was going on. I took a nail file and smoothed it out. I still have the callous 5 years later but the itching and the bleeding has gone away. I would check for any roughness or burr on your rings, that might cause irritation in addition to any allergy you might have.
My rings are supposed to be platinum, but don't know what percent the alloy is... got them at a jeweler that advertises low prices....
I cannot wear earrings except for 14 karat gold or sterling silver because of the nickel allergy. I've had trouble with watches in the past where my skin would "sweat" and get irritated. I don't even wear watches now, just look at my cell phone in my pocket to get the time.
Actually I think the less jewelry the better. My husband doesn't wear his wedding ring, and I am glad, because he is always working on machinery and I don't want it getting caught and causing an injury...
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2 Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2006 : 4:47:55 PM
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Count me in for the nickel allergy. My ears itch if it's not pure gold or sterling silver. Guess some of us know the good stuff.
For watches and such , I have tried the clear nail polish. It works, but when you start to sweat, it is a little unclofortable.
I bought 2 pair of sterling earrings years ago in our college student center. 1 1/2 of those same earrings either got lost or broken. I wear the one remaining in one hole and small hoops in the others. Can't find what I like these days and don't want to start itching either. Also had a really cool pair of small sterling gecko earrings, but both little images came unattached from the posts and lost. |
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High Strung
Farmgirl in Training
 
11 Posts
Michelle
Brownsburg
IN
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - Oct 21 2006 : 7:41:04 PM
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I've got the same problem with nickel and can only wear 14kt earrings and had to give up cheap watches. Thank goodness Seiko's last for years. The only dip that I've ever heard of was Rhodium. I think it probably is more like electroplating since it doesn't hurt stones. My sister had her yellow gold wedding set done and it looks just like white gold now. Wasn't too much to do either - maybe $25. I'm pretty sure that it can be removed later if you don't like it. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2006 : 12:39:33 PM
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This may date me just a tad, but for YEARS I wore a Swatch and still do when I can remember to put it on.
Never had a reaction even to the metal backed one Sure do wish the bands would hold up a little better
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Here's to Your Health: Allergy to wedding rings?  |
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