# Metal Allergies **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 1999, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562 "1999-09-09T01:35:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/1 "1999-09-09T01:35:00Z")
OK, I’m not seeking medical advice here- just wondering if anyone has ever heard of this or experienced it. My husband is highly allergic to metals against his skin. All except gold. Any watch he wears, or the little metal pieces on the pads of his glasses make him break out in a red painful rash. It happens even if I coat the surface with clear nail polish. Any ideas? It just seems like his chemistry mixes badly with these metals. * * * An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; A pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/2 "1999-09-09T01:55:00Z")
I have what I was told is a nickel allergy (the doc said it is the metal people are most frequently allergic to). My ears become badly inflamed, and often infected, if I am indiscriminate in what I wear, esp. if I forget and wear them overnight. I gave up my two piercings through the upper ear (and thus, cartiledge) because they were constantly infected and never healed despite literally months of treatment. Even silver (and so-called “hypo-allergenic”)can irritate, as nickel is frequently in the alloy. Curiosly, a silver ring I wear nearly every day can cause me to break out in extremely irritating rashes–but only in hot weather, when the finger swells and sweats. From what I understand, Zette (and hey, how the heck are yah?), metal allergies are fairly common. So, no swallowing coins for me, or your hubby. Maybe I should get a medic-alert bracelet. Hmm…it’ll have to be gold. * * * “Me fail English? That’s unpossible!” “English? Who needs that? I’m never going to England.” ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/3 "1999-09-09T02:02:00Z")
LauraRae, I’m doing great- how’s that “advice” I gave you a few months ago working out for you? 😉 I strongly suspect he’s just using this allergy stuff to get a good gold watch out of me! I let him know I’m highly allergic to fake gem stones, especially cubic zirconia! Interesting take- the nickel allergy is probobly exactly what it is…the doctors don’t seem to know. They just say “does it hurt when you do that? Then don’t do that!” * * * An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; A pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Sylence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Sylence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylence)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/4 "1999-09-09T03:30:00Z")
I’m allergic to metals too. I used to own a sterling silver ring that made my finger swell up so badly I almost couldn’t get it off. There’s really nothing you can do about it. If you’re not allergic to some metal then stick with it. I can’t wear any sort of jewelry. ☹ – Sylence * * * “The problem with reality is the lack of background music.” – Anon ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/5 "1999-09-09T04:41:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Curiosly, a silver ring I wear nearly every day can cause me to break out in extremely irritating rashes–but only in hot weather, when the finger swells and sweats. Sounds like eczema to me, not allergies, if it only happens in hot weather. I have no metal allergies, but I do sometimes get a rash on the fingers that I wear rings. It’s a side effect of the sweat/dampness under the ring. Try cortizone on the affected area, and keep the ring area dry, maybe even wearing it less often. * * * “Eppur, si muove!” - Galileo Galilei ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/6 "1999-09-09T04:55:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Sounds like eczema to me, not allergies, if it only happens in hot weather. That does make some sense, _except_ ONLY the finger wearing the silver and onyx ring breaks out in a rash in hot weather. I like rings, and none of the other three I wear at the same time cause the same reaction. Those fingers are rash and itch-free. Curiously, I also had one watch (a cheapy) that caused the same rash in hot weather. My nice watches have not had the same effect. * * * “Me fail English? That’s unpossible!” “English? Who needs that? I’m never going to England.” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/7 "1999-09-09T04:56:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m doing great- how’s that “advice” I gave you a few months ago working out for you? We both thank you. 😉 He in particular _really_ appreciated it! LOL! ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 1999, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-allergies/7562/8 "1999-09-09T16:53:00Z")
LauraRae said: > [@](#): > > I have what I was told is a nickel allergy … My ears become badly inflamed, and often infected Well, shoot! Stop sticking coins in your ears! Besides, dimes are smaller if you absolutely _must_ continue.