Nickel-Free Earrings, What You Need to Know

Did you know that roughly 18% of North Americans have a nickel allergy? Nickel allergies can cause the sufferer to contact dermatitis or suffer irritation. To this end, many prefer to use nickel-free earrings to avoid such issues.

If you're curious about nickel-free and hypoallergenic jewelry, we're here to help. Read on to learn more about the best earrings and jewelry for you to use.

Why Use Nickel-Free Earrings?

The primary reason to use nickel-free earrings is to manage a nickel allergy. But what are the consequences of a nickel allergy?

People can react to allergies differently from one another. For example, some may have severe allergies that cause their skin to swell, close up, or blister. Others may experience light irritation or develop a rash.

When buying accessories and metal jewelry, you should do your best to know precisely what's in the accessory. It's common for some jewelers - especially for cheap or discount jewelry - to make a poor product.

Low-quality jewelry of any sort can cause irritation or infection. If you're concerned you're developing a nickel allergy, talk to a medical professional. They can help you deduce if you're allergic to the jewelry or if the earrings have some other sort of irritant.

Nickel-Free vs. Hypoallergenic Jewelry

If you're dealing with an allergy, wouldn't hypoallergenic jewelry be better?

Hypoallergenic jewelry is jewelry made of materials that will not trigger the majority of allergies. With little or no irritating alloys, these accessories are often made of platinum or other pure metals.

As a result, hypoallergenic jewelry is often more expensive than other options. If you're on a budget, you may not want to spring for such jewelry.

Furthermore, hypoallergenic doesn't always mean nickel-free. It's common for some alloys to have some trace level of nickel.

Oftentimes this nickel content is minor enough that it's legally "nickel-free." Still, many people find that this minor amount is enough to trigger an allergy.

If you're buying hypoallergenic jewelry, ask about the contents of the alloy. There may still be some nickel to worry about. The most important thing to understand is that hypoallergenic and nickel-free jewelry are not the same thing despite seeming similar.

Types of Nickel-Free Jewelry

Now that we understand more about nickel-free jewelry, what are some common types? Here are the most common types of nickel-free jewelry.

Medical Grade Plastic

The most common type of nickel-free jewelry is to use medical grade plastic jewelry. But what is "medical grade plastic"?

Medical grade plastic is considered the choice material for first-time piercings. They're often considered more comfortable than other alternatives. While they're most common in children, it's a popular choice among adults as well.

Medical grade plastic is best known for being safe for people with earring allergies. As such, many use them as hypoallergenic earrings as well.

Regardless of allergies, many use these piercings for sensitive ears. They're also popular choices for widening piercings, such as going up a gauge size. Many also believe that plastic earrings are easier to clean.

However, it's important to check the quality of your earrings first. Typical plastic earrings are often not high-quality and can cause issues. For low-quality plastic earrings, many professionals say only to wear them for a limit of eight hours.

Medical grade plastic is high-quality and hypoallergenic. Search for the highest quality earrings you can find before purchasing your first pair! If you're having your ears pierced for the first time, consider asking your piercer to use medical grade plastic.

Wood

Wooden earrings are also a great alternative to metal earrings. You can rest assured that purely wooden earrings have no nickel in them.

That said, you need to research to see what sort of wood and what quality of earrings you're getting. Wooden earrings also are not known to cause any sort of allergenic reaction. As such, wooden earrings are considered hypoallergenic as well as nickel-free.

Wooden earrings are most common for hooks and gauges. Bacteria generally cannot survive on the surface of natural wood. Most wooden earrings are naturally antibacterial and have antimicrobial properties as well.

In short, wooden earrings will not harbor bacteria or cause an allergic reaction. They're safe, fashionable, and can pull some outfits together flawlessly.

Wooden earrings are also often cheaper than metal earrings. You should converse with your piercer about wooden jewelry and see what they suggest. These accessories have become more common recently, so they'll likely carry some!

Metal

Finally, there are metal options that are nickel-free. Many people aim for metal earrings and jewelry for their quality and durability.

One of the most common nickel-free metals to go for are rhodium earrings. Rhodium is ideal for sensitive ears or people with allergies.

Otherwise, many people prefer to use pure metals or nickel-free alloys. Platinum, titanium, and similar metals are popular. These options are often more expensive due to being pure, high-quality metal.

A crucial factor to look out for is whether a ring is pure or plated. If a ring is only plated in rhodium or a similar metal, the core can still have nickel.

As a result, you may experience an allergic reaction to the nickel. After lengthy periods of wear, the plating may wear off or corrode. The plating falling away will continue to expose nickel and worsen your allergic reaction.

Always make sure you know what you're buying! When dealing with an allergy or intolerance, it's critical to research the vendor and product thoroughly.

Wearing Nickel-Free Jewelry

Nickel-free earrings come in many forms, qualities, and materials. Whether you prefer wooden earrings for a natural look or medical grade plastic for a comfortable and low-cost alternative, there's an option for you. If you prefer metal, make sure you're avoiding plated metals and go for a pure alloy.

For more information on taking care of your ears and buying responsible jewelry, be sure to contact us!