| If you suffer from Gold Allergy then you have Allergies | | | | Other common every day items that contain nickel |
| Type 4 is also called cell-mediated or delayed allergies. | | | | and cause you to develop contact dermatitis are metal |
| When T-cells become activated and result in an | | | | zippers, hair-pins, buttons, lipstick holders, razors, keys |
| inflammation of the effected area. It usually develops | | | | pocket knives, kitchen utensils, scissors, silver coins, |
| with repeated exposure to some substance in the | | | | paper clips. |
| environment. All of a sudden you may develop a | | | | Your dermatologist or pharmacist can supply you with |
| hypersensitivity to all of your gold jewelry. Symptoms | | | | a nickel-testing kit. The test contains a bottle of |
| may include a rash, itching, swelling, blistering, and | | | | dimethylglyoxime and a bottle of ammonium hydroxide. |
| eczema. | | | | Put a drop from each bottle the jewelry or item in |
| It is very unlikely that you have a Gold Allergy. You are | | | | question, the chemicals will not harm your jewelry, and |
| more likely to have developed an allergy to nickel. | | | | then rub it with a cotton swab. If the swab turns pink |
| More specifically the allergy is not caused by the nickel | | | | then the item being tested contains nickel and may |
| itself but by the combination of your perspiration and | | | | cause problems if worn. |
| nickel salts. If your jewelry shows any type of | | | | Common Vitamins and over the counter products can |
| corrosion or pitting then coating the piece of jewelry | | | | help with treating the allergy symptoms such as |
| with clear finger nail polish where it comes into contact | | | | Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Quercitin. |
| with the skin may help. If finger nail polish is used then | | | | Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the |
| you will need to recoat very often because finger nail | | | | functioning of the immune system. Vitamin E can be |
| polish wares off easily. It would be better to coat the | | | | taken internally or applied as a lotion to the affected |
| item with some type of long lasting plastic compound. | | | | areas of the skin. |
| See you jeweler for recommendations. | | | | Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A |
| Gold Allergy cases have been reported by | | | | naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients |
| dermatologists since the introduction of cheap fancy | | | | work together to stimulate the blood circulation and |
| jewelry. Nine carat gold and white gold both contain | | | | naturally soften the skin. |
| nickel, 12 carat or higher should be ok. Once you have | | | | Quercitin is a well-known flavonoid. Flavonoids are |
| developed an allergy to nickel it will often remain for | | | | powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation |
| the rest of your life. 34 to 65 percent of the population | | | | boost the immune system and strengthen blood |
| that is allergic to nickel is also allergic to platinum. | | | | vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known |
| Nickel is frequently added to gold because it is | | | | for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus |
| inexpensive and hard. Gold in itself is soft and will lose | | | | reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. |
| its shape under pressure so nickel is added to toughen | | | | Always consult your doctor before using this |
| it up. Better quality products use palladium, which has | | | | information. |
| excellent properties but is also more expensive to use. | | | | |