Have you ever had a bad reaction to cheap jewelry? If you have, you’re definitely not alone. Costume jewelry often causes skin rashes and adds green coloring to the skin. You may have also noticed that it seems to be more likely to happen with cheaper costume jewelry.
Let’s explore why costume jewelry causes skin rashes and green color.
There are two reasons why you’re getting this reaction:
- The metals used in the jewelry are reacting to your skin
- The metals used in the jewelry are reacting to something on your skin (maybe body lotion or soap).
Costume Jewelry Metals that are Likely to Cause a Reaction
Copper is one of the most common culprits, causing rashes and green coloring almost everywhere it goes. This inexpensive metal is often used as the base in costume jewelry with other metals plated over it.
Silver alloy metals can also turn your skin green or dark brown or black. Alloy metals are often added to silver in plated jewelry. The alloys cause silver to oxidize and this is what tarnishes it. The tarnish comes off on your finger and that’s what causes the color.
Nickel is another common metal used in costume jewelry, but many people are allergic. If your skin is sensitive to nickel, you’ll notice red inflamed skin where the jewelry was.
Are Jewelry Reactions Dangerous?
In most cases, jewelry reactions are harmless. If your skin turns green, brown or black, simply remove the jewelry, clean your skin and it should return to normal soon. Redness or inflammation may take longer to heal, but it should heal perfectly well once you’ve removed the jewelry.
If you get a rash from your costume jewelry that seems particularly itchy or painful, talk to your doctor to see if he or she may recommend a treatment. Otherwise, it should go away on its own. If you don’t see any improvement in a day or two, talk to your doctor.
How to Avoid Green Skin from Costume Jewelry
The most obvious way to avoid green skin or rashes from costume jewelry would be to avoid wearing costume jewelry. But this isn’t always practical, and it’s not always the answer. For example, if your skin is very sensitive, you may even have trouble wearing sterling silver or gold.
If this sounds like you, stick to stainless steel, platinum or rhodium-plated jewelry.
Also, try to keep your hands away from lotions, soap and chemicals while you’re wearing costume jewelry. Take your rings off when you wash your hands and keep your bracelets out of the way of the soap and water.
Some people have a lot of success with the clear nail polish trick. That is, coating your jewelry with clear nail polish to create a barrier between the metal and your skin. You may only want to do this on very inexpensive jewelry, and only if you’re not sensitive to nail polish.
Fortunately, most people don’t have any issues wearing genuine silver and gold. So if you have a problem whereby costume jewelry causes skin rashes or green coloring, don’t assume it will be the same with something that’s higher end.
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