Is it possible to be allergic to gold???

[santabops]

Had an awful rash that has been coming and going for at least 6 months, on my wedding ring finger. Every time it clears up I replace my wedding ring and then it reappears a week or so later.
Finally went to the doctors today and he suggested that I had an allergy to gold?!

How can this be I have been wearing both rings for 6 years prior to this happening. Also they are 18 carat gold, which I thought was nickel free.

Anyone heard of this?

DH is not going to be happy if he has to buy me 24 carat gold rings to replace them!

[Chandra]

I get something similar but I think it is the soap getting trapped under the rings when I wash my hands, as it only happens on workdays.

[jinglinggoblin]

im allergic to gold. also silver and surgical steel! i cant wear 24 carat either. a friend told me to paint it with clear nail varnish so the metal doesnt touch the skin. i wore earrings for ages before i became allergic, it just seemed to happen overnight for no reason

[QueenVictoria]

Apparently.

My some of DP's family can only where 24carat stuff.

Or so they say

[spidermama]

I have this at the moment. A nasty rash flared up under my wedding ring for the first time. I hope it's just soap because I want my ring back!

[Katemum]

Do you wear any other gold, necklace etc? I have a reaction to my rings but it is water sitting under them rather than the rings themselves. I can wear them during the day but take them off as soon as i get home and leave them off over night. My fingers can just about cope with this, oh and generous dollops of handcream used over night.

[hatstand]

I've been allergic to my wedding and engagement rings for years. My dh speculates that if your two rings are slightly different metals there is actually a very mild current between them which would increase the amount of metal rubbing off on your skin (all a bit speculative but he's not a nut - he does know a bit about this sort of stuff). I find a get a milder reaction if I only wear one of them but i do still get one. Keep dropping hints to DH that I want him to take them to a jewellers to see if they can line them with something

[jalopy]

I've developed an earring allergy over the last few years. Very bad if I put gold ones in. Ear lobes become hot, swollen and itchy.

[nooka]

My rings have been fine, but my ears are allergic to everything (swell up and drip puss within minutes!)

[santabops]

I thought it was just the soap/water being trapped but doctor seemed quite sure it was an allergy.

Come to think of it. A couple of years ago my pierced ears did swell up and were oosing pus (sorry). Since then the only jewellery I have worn are my wedding, engagement and eternity ring. All 18 carat gold.

I'm going to be gutted it I can't wear them. May try wearing them on a gold chain and see what happens. It might prove the wtaer/soap trapped under the rings theory.