Developed an Allergy to My Wedding Ring?

A lot of these allergies are from nickle that is blended in both sterling silver and gold. Reactions can be quite severe and painful.

It could be eczema. I had that same thing this past Spring. Red, itched like crazy and spread somewhat too. I got this cream in a small jar from Whole Foods and within a week I was completely normal, not even the slightest itch since under my ring. It's called " Look, No Xema" The jar lasts forever too as you just need a little dab a few times a day.

So funny reading this, b/c I had posted something almost exactly like this a few months ago- you should read it! I ended up trying to get the rings dipped in rhodium, which lasted for a few months but this rash still came back. I thought there was no way it could be a moisture issue b/c I had been a hairstylist for 7 yrs before this rash started (hands in h2o/chemicals everyday)- but after posting I went to the dermatologist(who is my absolute favorite doctor) who says this is very very common but is actually related to a moisture problem- prescribed me a steriod cream and said when you have wet hands dry under the ring as well- public bathroom soaps are a culprit also(cheap detergents he says) - purell surprisingly is ok!- - -just added this info b/c for the last year of this rash I had truly thought I had developed an allergy- my finger got red, itched and even got tiny blisters that would bleed if I scratched to much- Since going to the doc I haven't had another problem- needless to say, no allergy! Best of luck ~

I had same thing happen. My doc suggested it was because I might have some soap residue under my ring but I'm fairly certain I was having a metal reaction.

I took it to the jeweler and he said there was a layer of rhodium (platinum family) on the area where I was getting the irritation. It was there to make the diamond look brighter. Once he buffed out that layer, my ring finger started to heal.

Perhaps . . . you may have worn away a layer on your ring and now your skin is reacting to something in the layers? I know that white gold is made by mixing yellow gold with other elements including nickel . . . Just an idea . . . maybe have your jeweler take a look.

Well are you sure it's an allergy? I'm thinking it sounds like maybe your skin is getting irritated from maybe water and/or soap getting under your ring and then not getting dried properly. Sometimes that has happened to me. I just make sure I dry my finger better and really get it done so it doesn't get itchy. I wear my ring all day every day, even in the shower, at the gym, etc. so it happens sometimes but always goes away.

If you don't think that's the issue I'd maybe talk to a dermatologist and see what they recommend.

Hmmm, looks like you're getting the seven-year itch 3 years early :) Rings can get gunk built up inside of them, especially if you have any baguettes or a channel, or if there are any hollow parts inside. It happened to me a few years ago and what worked for me was a quick trip to the jeweler, who cleaned it for me (complimentary, of course.)

I did during my pregnancy with my third child. My whole hand would swell and the red would spread up and down my finger. You could tell I was having a chemical reaction to the metal as the entire inside blackened horribly. Mine was 10K gold. It started between around my 14th ann. I kept trying to wear it again and the reaction got faster and worse. For our 15 year ann we got new rings because it was obvious there was nothing I could do anymore. I went to 14K for my band & 18K for my new diamond as I was having reactions to that too. I haven't had any problems and I've had them for a year now. The common reaction is to the metals mixed with the gold. Copper is common and what I'm allergic too.

My husband sure did. His ring is titanium, he wore it for about 6 years with no issue until one day it started to swell, ache and itch horribly. He left it off and all symptoms cleared then he tried to wear it again and same thing.

unless it is 24k gold (very uncommon in rings since it is too soft) it is mixed with other metals, possiably copper. You may have developed a copper allergy.

This happens to me all the time! My ring is platinum, but the band is wide. Not an allergy to the ring, but eczema. It is especially bad in summer or after my hands have been wet alot. Once the rash has developed it is exaccerbated every time I put the ring back on. Visit a dermatologist!

This happened to me so I am glad you asked the question. I asked my allergist and he told me that gold wasn't pure and it was most likely a reaction to the nickel that was mixed in. He suggested that I take it to a jeweler and see if they can do something. I am pregnant right now so i haven't done it yet, but I will soon. My husband isn't always thrilled with me going without my rings (and it was with all 3 of them)

You can be allergic to anything but perhaps it could be too tight and not allowing your skin to breathe underneath it. Moisture and other product residues maybe getting trapped as well. Also, your ring may contain other filler metals that could be causing an allergy.

I had this for years, and I also had trouble wearing most pierced earrings - the doctor said it is often due to the nickel content. The jeweler told me to be sure I got soap and lotion out from under the ring and let the skin dry. He also said to paint clear nail polish on the inside of the ring. This worked for a while. I have found that I can now wear all earrings and have no problem under my rings when I started supplementing my diet to supply the trace elements missing from our food supply. Powdered nutrition, ideally patented, that you mix in water at the time of consumption is the most absorbable and effective. It has to have everything in it though - just getting a few vitamins or minerals doesn't help you achieve the balance.

You probably have a nickel sensitivity. I have the same thing!

Most white gold is rhodium plated to make it brighter and whiter. Rhodium is all less reactive and less likely to cause an allergy. Unfortunately, it wears off, which is why your ring starts to look less shiny and why you develop an allergy to it over time.

Take the ring to a good jeweler and have it replated with rhodium. Usually can be done immediately and costs about $80-$100, depending on the size and width of your ring. I have mine done once a year, as soon as I see the "ring rot" coming.

Once your ring is replated, be careful to be sure you dry your finger underneath it every time your hands get wet. Also, if you're not too sentimental, take it off at night when you sleep so your skin can breathe, and don't put it back on until after your morning shower.

K.

I do not experience as severe a reaction. My finger becomes noticeably irritated. It feels like it is slightly swollen. I take it off when it happens. My finger feels better right away when I do that. What ususally helps me is to put a layer over my hands with lotion when the skin on my hands feel irritated. Dust sometimes also bothers them. I lotion my hands and they feel better. I have a yellow gold ring. I have heard also that jewelry reactions are due to the nickel content.

I used to wear pierced earrings but my ears would itch, burn, swell, and turn red like your hands. I don't wear those anymore.

Good luck!

Yep. I am allergic to my wedding ring. I'm hoping that one day when I have a few extra grand laying around (so, really, never), I can change it from gold (which has the mix of metals, nickel, etc which is probably causing the allergy) to platinum. Needless to say, I never wear my wedding ring. I can wear it for about 48hours before a rash forms. So I'll wear it on special occasions, then take it right off. Oh well...

I second (third) the suggestions to see if it's eczema. I had doctors tell me I was allergic to my ring, but it's titanium which is a very rare allergy.

Eczema, seasonal allergies and asthsma are all in the same family. If you or any close relatives suffer from any of the 3 it's possible eczema is the culprit. Which would mean your skin is highly irritated from soaps, dampness, etc. A dermatologist or even your primary care could help you determine which is the cause.