A recent article took my eye with importance to all Jewellery and accessories wearers.
Scratching at the Surface by Bianca Mangion
The incidences of Nickel allergy are increasing, with consumers sporting ever more jewellery and piercings.
Nobody knows exactly how many people suffer from Allergic Contact Dermatitis (or Nickel Allergy): however it would be a rare Jeweller who hasn't had a Customer mention the problem.
The inappropriate use of nickel is a worldwide problem and responses such as " Oh I can't wear this, I am allergic" are fairly commonplace.
In Simple Terms:
any nickel allergy arises when skin is exposed to nickel ions, particles that are created when the nickel in your Earring or Belt Buckle, made using nickel metal or an alloy containing nickel, is corroded by contact with the acids and salts in our skin.
Like any allergy, thresholds differ from person to person, but overall the skin is permeable to nickel ions. When they penetrate the skin, the body recognises these ions as foreign bodies leading to the creation of memory cells which facilitate a reaction to nickel when subsequent exposures are high enough.
This means that one is not born with a nickel allergy, it develops through contact with nickel and once your body has created the "memory " cells, you will react to nickel for the rest of your life.
There are many medical journal articles devoted to understanding what happens when someone experiences initial sensitisation. Subsequent exposure to nickel ions can lead to: dermatitis, inflammation, eczema, and blisters!
In chronic sufferers reactions can be brought on by the nickel content of foods such as Chocolate, Oatmeal, Peas, Beans, Lentils, Tea and Coffee. Frequent contact with Coins and Cutlery can cause hand rashes and eczema.
Because direct and prolonged contact between the skin and the nickel containing object is the quickest way to trigger an allergic reaction, the greatest single cause of nickel sensitisation is thought to be body piercing.
A study by Swedish Dermatologist Alexander Fisher determined that 95 per cent of nickel-sensitised women had pierced ears. However Jewellery is not the only factor and factors such as hormone differences are believed to play a part.
Australian Body Piercing Artist Peter Sherringham believes that the incidence of Nickel Allergies have been reduced but he is concerned that the glut of poor quality products may see a marked increase in the coming years.
What can you do?:
Avoid plated jewellery:
This includes a "nickel flash" which some manufacturers use to add shine to their product.
9kt Plated products.
Nickel Plated Sterling Silver.
Nickel plated brass.
Avoid white Gold as it can contain as much as 7per cent Nickel to increase colour and hardness.
Watches: occaisionally the Stainless Steel used for the back of the watch may fall below the " corrosion resistance" level.
Belts: Try to ensure that your bulky Belt Buckle does not touch your skin. Better to purchase a Belt with a Brass Buckle than a Nickel Plated one.
Try to ensure that an bulk manufactured Jewellery that you purchase, where the surface will touch your skin is marketed as Nickel free.
Purchase your earrings from a Jeweller who makes his/her own hooks and findings. It is easy to see if the hooks are stamped and if they are shaped differently. Note that many Jewellery crafters simply buy in pre-made hooks with little or no idea of the comosition.
