Alecia is a very protective mom, the kind of 5 foot “Mama Bear” that shields her baby, Melissa, from everything. For instance, when she got Melissa’s ears pierced, she checked that the person had great reviews, made sure everything was sterile and scrutinized every detail of the procedure.
What she had no way of knowing, and couldn’t protect her baby from, was an allergic reaction to the metal in the earrings. After wearing them for only a few hours, the baby’s ears became inflamed, and she was pulling at them, with big tears streaming down her face.
At first, Alecia thought there was an infection. But, after an expensive trip to her doctor, she found out that the painful rash was Contact Dermatitis. The nickel in the earring metal created an allergic reaction. It’s one of the most common metals in jewelry and clothing. It’s in everything from zippers and eyeglasses to jean buttons and hairpins.
Alecia’s doctor told her to buy only hypoallergenic earrings.
What is Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic jewelry means that there is minimal risk of causing an allergic reaction. Most hypoallergic jewelry contains pure metals such as platinum, gold, titanium, copper, and stainless steel, fine silver, and sterling silver. However, softer metals like gold and silver will have other metals alloyed with them or plated over a stronger base metal. These types of jewelry are suitable for those who experience allergic reactions to nickel. The safest alternative to metal is medical-grade plastic earrings and keeping your ski safe is just one of the reasons to wear hypoallergenic jewelry.
5 Reasons to Wear Hypoallergenic Earrings
1.Minimal Risk of an Allergy
Typically, hypoallergenic earrings use much less nickel than other alloys. They will plate the base metal with a pure metal like gold or silver to cover any part of the jewelry that contacts the skin.
2.Artisan Quality
Just because jewelry is hypoallergenic doesn’t mean it’s not pretty. The same care and artistic craftsmanship go into the design and manufacturing of each piece.
3.Better Grades of Metal
Hypoallergenic jewelry will usually contain more of the precious metal and less of the base, inexpensive alloys. Sterling silver, gold, titanium, platinum and copper alone or alloyed in combinations without nickel create beautiful jewelry without causing allergies.
4.Keep Your Ears Looking Pretty
Contact dermatitis from nickel causes painful, itchy red ears. In some cases, ugly blisters can form that take days to go away.
By wearing only hypoallergenic earrings, you minimize chances of red swollen ear lobes. With the right sparkle and design, you enhance your beautiful ears.
5.Plenty of Options
Almost 17% of women and girls suffer from an allergy to nickel or other metal. Jewelry manufacturers are well aware of this, resulting in more options for hypoallergenic jewelry than ever. There is no shortage of top designers who create stunning hypoallergenic earrings and other accessories from which to choose.
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