Late in life allergy?

Question

I have been married for 9 months. I've had the same ring since before we married. While living in New York I picked up a black river steel ring. It's made of steel and paired it with my wedding ring.

Shortly after (about 3 weeks) I acquired a rash the same size and shape of my ORIGINAL wedding ring.

I took off the steel thinking that I was more than likely allergic to that one. Weeks later when only wearing my original white gold ring I am STILL getting the rash. I have not since then put the steel ring back on.

My white gold ring is not an expensive ring. I've always been a little sensitive to medals but never to gold or platinum.

Am I allergic to my original ring?

Answer 1

I have the same thing going on with a ring of my grandmothers I wear all the time. All I can put it down to is that there is something getting underneath the band which is irritating my skin. sticking to the following steps has prevented me getting the rash again-

1. Taking the ring off when washing my hands or doing the dishes

2. Drying hands thougroughly

3. Using moisturiser regularly

4. Taking the ring off when going to bed

Answer 2

Very likely you are. Actually, your ring isn't pure (24K) gold; it's too soft.

You're allergic to the alloy, very likely nickel. At 18K and often 14K, there might be not enough alloy for a reaction. But 10K or 12K are less than half gold. I'm assuming your steel ring is stainless--the main alloy there is zinc, as in brass. But worse, if your original ring was plated (10k) or "rolled gold" (12k), you may be down to base metal.