https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 08:58:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116422 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:49:32 +0000 anemone 116422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I developed a nickel allergy in adulthood, as well. My mother has it, too. I can't even wear a watch anymore. I've looked at some sterling silver watches, but most of the cases still have stainless steel backs.</p> <p>In addition to sterling silver and solid gold, I am able to wear vermeil (gold-plated sterling silver), but not gold-filled jewelry, and I cannot wear gold plated jewelry if the metal underneath isn't sterling. I was happy to discover I could wear vermeil, because gold complements my warm skin tone better, but vermeil is a lot cheaper than solid gold. Better quality vermeil uses 24K gold, which I find to be a much warmer and more flattering shade of gold than solid 14K anyway.</p> <p>I like Novica.com for interesting sterling silver jewelry in all styles and price ranges, and they also have a bit of vermeil. I've been making a lot of my own sterling silver earrings and vermeil earrings and necklaces from jewelry components I get from Etsy, Firemountaingems.com or shiana.com. With a few jewelry tools, a little practice, and high quality components, you can make some very nice jewelry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116419 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:19:40 +0000 Dusty 116419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nickel is a very common allergy, so that's probably what it is. It really does sound like a metal allergy - it's exactly what happens to me if I wear gold (but that's not a new thing - I've always been allergic). I've had a few people try to tell me that it's a nickel allergy - but even 24 c just eats me skin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116368 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:27:18 +0000 MNsara 116368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a bummer - I hope it is only the one necklace - just something specific to its metal.</p> <p>My sister has similar problem and sticks with only 14K gold. I have heard of others having luck with the clear nail polish trick.</p> <p>I hope you can find some resolution and no more irritation! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116366 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:23:32 +0000 anne 116366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a pity Shiny - it is lovely! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116345 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:45:51 +0000 shana 116345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bummer b/c that is such a pretty necklace! I buy alot of inexpensive jewelry at Target &amp; noticed that they have alot of pieces listed as "Nickel Free" - perhaps more retailers will follow suit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116302 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:41:29 +0000 yublocka 116302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a shame Shiny - the necklace looks great with the dress. I hope you can find a siialr, non-allergic one!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116231 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:22:44 +0000 Kyle 116231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny: I have developed the very same problem over the last couple of years. It comes and goes along with sensitivity to certain makeups, too. I have been told that those of us who are very fair skinned are more prone to these problems, but don't know if this is a fact-based statement though. I can't always find any rhyme or reason with my problem. I assume that it is a nickel allergy, but I don't know which pieces may or may not have nickel. I also wonder, as I am getting older, if there could be a hormonal component. I was also super sensitive to metals (along with lots of other things) during pregnancy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116228 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:12:38 +0000 shiny 116228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Debora - thanks for sleuthing this for me. I had assumed it must be nickel. I know it's not real gold. I only have a few gold necklaces, from back in the 80s/early 90s. Delicate gold chains with lockets, and one or two thick gold chains. All were given to me as gifts. I would not have bought them myself: I actually prefer the look of costume jewelry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116227 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:10:14 +0000 shiny 116227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've never had any problem like this before. But, in the past few weeks, I had noticed that one of my pairs of inexpensive studs was making my lobes itch - the burnished gold ones (not real gold). I guess I'll just have to experiment and see which items are problematic. I could try the nail polish trick, or just use it as impetus to cull out my jewelry box! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116196 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:11:15 +0000 rute 116196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My sister in law has the same problem, she can wear only silver or gold </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116191 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:52:11 +0000 elpgal 116191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, My sis has the same problem. She avoids earrings but coats the back of pendants and bracelets with a layer of clear nail-polish before she wears them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116190 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:43:18 +0000 Debora 116190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, so sorry to hear about your necklace. Sounds like you may have a nickel allergy. I think I bought the same necklace at Nordstrom but ended up returning it. The one I bought was by Ralph Lauren. The product description for that necklace says it's made of base metal. I looked up base metals and they are described as metals frequently used in costume jewelry such as nickel or brass that are not noble or precious metals ( gold, silver and platinum). </p> <p>Here's a good web site I found that defines metal terms:</p> <p><a href="http://www.rings-things.com/METALS.HTM" rel="nofollow">http://www.rings-things.com/METALS.HTM</a></p> <p>I wonder if you could wear gold costume jewelry if it is gold plated? Hope you can get to the bottom of this. That was a gorgeous necklace on you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116182 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:16:00 +0000 Maya 116182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How awful. It's a lovely necklace but I guess you'll need to pass it on. That sounds ghastly. Maybe one of the DD's will take it? Unless it's genetic..</p> <p>I have never had a metal allergy so I'm not sure what the culprit is. But if this is the first time it happened, I wouldn't worry too much about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116179 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:12:46 +0000 Dawn 116179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a nickel allergy as well and have the same story as Kari. I had to have my ears re-pierced two or three times when I was a teenager because they kept swelling up. I don't wear earrings any longer because of this, and I only tend to wear sterling silver now as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116173 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:03:27 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 116173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a shame though - the necklace is a stunner on you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116170 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:54:18 +0000 Kari 116170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, what a bummer! :(<br /> I have a nickel allergy too. When I was young I had to get my ears re-pierced a couple times because they swelled up so badly from wearing cheap earrings. I'm less sensitive to cheap metal now, but I'm still careful about not wearing cheap earrings for too long. I was told that stainless steel is an iffy metal for costume jewelry because it can contain nickel, but sterling silver should be relatively safe.<br /> By the way, I *love* your dress! Such a cute shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116162 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:39:14 +0000 Louise 116162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no what a shame it's a lovely necklace. i can't wear cheap earrings they make my ears itch but touch wood i've never had a problem with necklaces x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/metal-allergy#post-116154 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:26:08 +0000 shiny 116154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yesterday I wore this new necklace for only the second time: </p> <p><a href="http://s386.photobucket.com/albums/oo309/lookingfabat43/Winter%202009-10/?action=view&#038;current=november016.jpg&#038;newest=1" rel="nofollow">http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1</a></p> <p>Within an hour my neck began to itch, and when I looked in the mirror, I discovered red, round itchy skin in the exact shape of the necklace! It looked like my skin had been burned in the shape of the necklace. This has never happened to me before. I took the necklace off immediately, and it cleared up in about an hour or two. </p> <p>The necklace is not real gold - I am assuming the culprit is nickel? I do have another long gold necklace, but when I wear that one, it usually lays on top of my clothes and not next to the skin. I have other fake gold necklaces too, that never gave me a problem like this - but I haven't worn any of them in years. </p> <p>Anyone else have this problem? </p> <p>I guess this rules out gold costume jewelry for me and I'll just stick to pearls and silver. I'm not terribly disappointed - it makes it a lot easier to just stick with one metal or the other and build a wardrobe around it. </p>