Do you feel like your ear will fall out if you wear a cheap earring? Understand jewelry allergies better and find out how to treat the problem.
When we talk about contact dermatitis, allergy to jewelry is very common, especially among women, as the women’s section always takes care of their look, be it with: necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, watches and all types of accessories that make up the visual.
Many of these accessories, among others, have nickel in their composition, which is the villain of the story, as it is one of the substances that causes the most allergies.
This allergic condition can appear from an early age, if it is a genetic problem, or appear over time, if the person has a predisposition to having an allergy when coming into contact with nickel.
Generally, allergy to jewelry lasts for life, however, there are exceptions, depending on the person, and it is closely associated with the immune system.
Symptoms of jewelry allergy
Allergy to jewelry generally causes itching, irritation, redness, peeling and even triggers inflammatory processes. This contact dermatitis can generate these symptoms in three phases:
Acute Phase – itching, edema, small balls and redness
Subacute Phase – eczema, that is, with the formation of crusts, the vesicles rupture.
Chronic phase – lichenification occurs, a change in the epidermis where the skin becomes thick or hard, and sometimes the color is also affected.
These symptoms generally develop 6 to 24 hours after using the accessory and can last for days or even weeks.
Once these symptoms are identified with the use of jewelry or other accessories, self-medication is not the way to go, the right thing to do is to seek out a specialist, who will investigate and prescribe the correct treatment.
Treatment of jewelry allergy
Generally, for these contact dermatitis, the best treatment is to stop using the causing accessory, or once the substance responsible for the allergy has been identified, look for materials that do not contain this substance in their composition.
Once the region is affected by an allergy to jewelry, in addition to suspending contact with the skin, the affected region must be hydrated, using corticosteroid-based creams and compresses with cold water to alleviate the symptoms of dermatitis, in addition to avoiding scratching. the location of the injury and contact with sunlight.
Treatment will vary from person to person, in addition to the degree of allergy, and even the use of corticosteroids and histamines may be recommended. Therefore, even though it is considered a mild problem, be sure to see a doctor to treat your allergy.
How to try to alleviate an allergy to jewelry
If the person is really allergic to nickel or some other material present in the accessories, some alternatives can help with jewelry allergies:
- Accessories with another type of material, gold, silver, copper, platinum, stone, fibers, titanium, among others, are an option to avoid allergies;
- Invest in nickel-free jewelry made from aluminum or stainless steel
- Painting the accessory with nail base can be a solution;
- Depending on the accessory, if possible wrap it with plastic, as this way it will not be directly in contact with the skin;
- Try to know the origin of the product and opt for national pieces, they are generally of better quality;
- Look for other ways to compose your look, enjoy the freedom of fashion;
Although these tips can help reverse a jewelry allergy, the best solution is still to discontinue using the accessory that causes the allergy.
Ultimately, the most important thing, according to the specialist, is to avoid home treatments, as you don’t know for sure the source of the problem, such as, for example, whether it really is an allergy to jewelry. According to experts, these home treatments can cause opposite effects and make the situation worse.
So, girl, do you suffer from this problem too? Are you one of those people who can’t wear anything that isn’t gold? Be sure to tell us what you do to improve or alleviate the damage caused by allergies!
Now, speaking of allergies, this other article can also be very useful for your life or the lives of those you know: Gluten-free foods to include in your diet (complete list).
Source: Minha Vida, Derma Club, Vix, Melhor com Saúde
