Millions of people experience unexplained skin irritations and itchy rashes. Many times people who suddenly get these irritations don't have any idea what caused them. Rashes can be caused by a number of things. Some experts say that jewelry allergies are not onl very common, but very simple to prevent. If you have problems with a skin rash, redness, swelling, itching or burning in areas where you are wearing jewelry, you may have a nickel allergy. Nickel is commonly used in most jewelry, since it's cheap and strong, but around 15% of the population is allergic to nickel



If you have recently had your ears or another part of your body pierced and are experiencing allergic symptoms, you may have become sensitized to the metal your jewelry contains. White gold and other gold that is less than 14 carats can bring on a reaction, since white gold is made with nickel and other forms of gold contain some amount of nickel as a hardening agent. Sterling silver is plated with nickel, which stays shiny and bright when silver might tarnish, and so is frequently used in silver jewelry.

When you get a skin rash after contact with an allergy-causing substance (an allergen), doctors call it allergic contact dermatitis. It can be a devastating condition. People with contact dermatitis can get a very itchy rash from head to toe or in a confined area. If it's on the hands and feet it can cause a person not to be able to perform daily functions comfortably.

Determining whether or not your rashes or irritations are the result of an allergy to nickel is pretty simple. If it is something you're wearing that's causing you to break out, you should stop wearing that item. This should allow the rash to go away and not return unless you wear that particular item again. Also, your dermatologist can give you a patch test. This is done by using a panel of common allergens. The doctor puts a small amount on a patch of skin to see whether there is a reaction.

Sometimes people find themselves suddenly allergic to jewelry that they have been wearing for as much as five years.The reason for the delayed allergic reaction is not always clear. However a sudden change in sensitivity indicates that their may have been a change in your body chemistry, or a change in what you are putting "on" your skin such as cosmetics. Another reason might be some outside environmental change.