You won’t see them! Diagnosing Metal Allergies Piercings can result in infection, and since symptoms overlap, it can be difficult to tell the difference between an infection and an allergic reaction. The more popular a product is, the greater the chance of finding a consumer that is allergic to it. Knowing the difference between hypoallergenic jewelry and normal jewelry can help you make an informed decision. What is allergic contact dermatitis? Maybe you’ve heard someone advise, “Buy 18-karat gold because it’s pure and you can’t be allergic.” Not true. Titanium is a hard metal that could have a slightly rough surface on the microscopic scale. Anodized Titanium: Titanium can be used for both solid titanium pieces as described above or as an outer coating for items plated in titanium. Neither should cause an immune response or allergic reaction. Earrings marketed as such usually have a lower nickel content. Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin condition that occurs when an allergen sensitizes the immune system, causing it to react or become inflamed upon contact. Symptoms Of Titanium Allergy. Therefore, once you identify an allergy, do your best to minimize the use of jewelry made from that material. No matter the metal, if you have a jewelry allergy, the rash usually looks the same. This can be especially uncomfortable somewhere like the ears if you unknowingly wear a pair of earrings made of metal you are allergic to. The metal titanium is used in ear piercing, jewelry, and body implants such as dental implants. But they make great posts. However, in some people, even these earrings can trigger a reaction. Jewelry made from titanium and stainless steel are also less likely to cause allergies. Recent data from a single MELISA laboratory shows 2% positive responses from 100 consecutive tests. Titanium hypersensitivity is uncommon and titanium is generally described as a bio-compatible material – yet laboratories using the MELISA technology have reported that about 4% of all patients tested to titanium will have titanium sensitivity (reference here).). 3 Steps to Take if You Have a Jewelry Allergy It’s not technically an allergy. Among other things, titanium jewelry is guaranteed to be safe to wear—even for people who are susceptible to allergic contact dermatitis. If you are prone to allergic reaction and find that you cannot wear “plain” metal body jewelry this may not be right for you. But when it comes to piercings, part of the issue is abrasion. If you like a bright silver or gold effect with your earrings, titanium hooks won’t be a good choice. You can only have an allergy to proteins, not metals. A gold allergy isn’t very common, but your body can still react to it if you’re allergic. I was hoping nail varnish or one of the other ‘hacks’ would allow me to wear stud-type earrings but at least I now know not to waste my money! The reports of titanium allergy coming from a recent piercing contain symptoms such as skin rashes, swelling, itchiness, skin redness and hives. If you are allergic to copper you may also be allergic to metal alloys that include copper, like the ever-so-popular rose gold, which contains a mixture of gold and copper to achieve its pinkish hue. If jewelry set in rose gold doesn’t bother you, alloys might be one of the few ways you can enjoy the look of copper jewelry. Nickel allergy is far more widespread, at about 10% of the population, than titanium allergy. People with nickel allergies should ensure that they wear jewelry that is hypoallergenic, or nickel-free. But you CAN have a sensitivity. Maybe you can find hooks of titanium or one of the other hypo-allergenic metals. Chemically speaking, titanium is less likely to be absorbed by biological systems than niobium. Titanium allergy symptoms can occur due to the metal itself or due to the chemical titanium dioxide, widely used in medications, confectioneries and cosmetics. Anyone can be sensitive to anything.