What You Need to Know If Cheap Jewelry Breaks You Out



It’s almost impossible for me to shop at stores like Zara or Forever 21 without scouring the Cheap Jewelry Sites racks for a new ring, necklace, or pair of earrings. But after wearing cheap (but cute) costume jewelry, I get dry patches on my earlobes or a rash on the back of my neck. After an appointment with Dr. Google, I suspect my reactions are caused by a nickel allergy, a common condition that many people have, according to Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., a board-certified NYC dermatologist and clinical attending at NYU and Mount Sinai Hospital.
If you’ve been dealing with similar breakouts and you think your jewelry could be the cause, read on to learn how to protect your skin from a nickel-induced rash.Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, a skin reaction caused by exposure to a specific allergen. It can look like a red, itchy rash, dry patches of skin that look like a burn, or blisters and other bumps. Since nickel can be found in clothing, electronics, certain makeup, jewelry, and even foods, you may notice a reaction in many different areas on your body—like itchy ears after wearing earrings, a hand rash from handling keys, or a belly-button irritation from a button on your pants. If you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms, see a dermatologist or allergist to get an official diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with a nickel allergy, it’s important to avoid the metal as much as possible—which is easier said than done, since, as we mentioned above, it shows up in lots of products and it’s hard to always know if something contains nickel. For example, while certain jewelry may be described as gold plated or nickel free, these pieces can still contain nickel alloys or a mixture of metals underneath the surface, according to Lily Talakoub, M.D., of McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center. Even things that read 14K or 18K gold are not completely safe for those with an allergy. “The K stands for karat, which refers to the percentage of gold in an alloy,” says Dr. Levin. “24K is 100 percent gold, 18K is 75 percent gold and 25 percent alloyed metals, and 14K is 58 percent gold and 42 percent alloyed meals. Alloyed metals can contain nickel, so 14K gold or gold-plated jewelry can still cause allergic reactions.” For those with nickel allergies, purchasing pieces made with surgical-grade stainless steel, platinum, pure sterling silver, or 24K yellow gold will help ensure that your jewelry won’t cause a reaction on your skin. Bonus: The jewelry will also last a lot longer than cheap jewelry.