Why does my wedding ring keep breaking out my finger?

Question

I have had the same wedding rings for 9 years. Suddenly, about 5 weeks ago I notices an icky rash under my rings and it itched like crazy. I took my rings off, cleaned them and put cream on my finger. Left them off till it healed about 5 days then after wearing them just one day about 10 hours....broken out again. treated the rash and left the rings off again about 5 days didn't wear them again until it was healed and after a couple of hours my finger was broken out again. Is it possible to suddenly be allergic to the white gold in the rings? Does anyone have any other suggestions? I wear another ring on my ring finger of my right hand and never have any trouble. Suggestions?

Answer 1

Yes, you could develop an alergic reaction to things later in life.  A better answer though is this, wedding rings are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.  Think about all the places your hands go, then when you shower you usually take your jewelry off.  Or if you leave it on, it has all the nooks and crannies inbetween the settings and what not.  Try using some Purell hand sanatizer ALL OVER your wedding ring with an old toothbrush.  If that doesn't work, then your body has probably started having reactions to either the gold, or other metal in the ring.

Answer 2

one-word answer: nickel (rings are made of alloys that include this metallic element) - over time you can become sensitive even if you are not initially sensitive - the continuing exposure can bring on allergy . . . .  go see your dermatologist to get suggestions - this is not unusual  . . .   they hear it all the time - other than covering the rings with clear fingernail polish, i don't remember what the solutions are - b

Answer 3

you could be allergic to the metal

Answer 4

You have a nickel allergy. There's probably some nickel in your ring (unless it's certified 24K gold), which is causing the rashes. My friend had the same reactions several years after being married. She eventually put the ring away and had to get another band.  

Answer 5

Edit:  You may need to try a stronger corticosteroid such as Betnovate (prescription).  If that doesn't work, take them off for a longer time.  Are they too wide when worn together?  That could be the culprit.  Maybe just wear the wedding band for a while.  

Commonly called wedding ring dermatitis, this kind of rash can come out of nowhere after wearing your rings for a long time.  Here is quite a good article on wedding ring dermatitis, what causes it and several suggestions on how to try to clear it up on your own.  

You may need to see your doctor/dermatologist for a prescription cream if the home remedies don't work.  Let the experts decide if it is a metal allergy or not.  It's usually not.

Good luck.