Letter 33777

Platinum Wedding Ring now causes rash?  

Synopsis: The most important part of this long thread is that many women reported complete elimination of the rash by boiling their rings in vinegar & peroxide. You may want to start on page 1.

November 3, 2006 (see Shellie's followup of Nov. 14) I have a platinum ring for 3 years. 2 years fine, past year awful and severe red burn-like rash. I'd let it heal and would just come right back. Did this several times but finally just don't wear it now. It's healed but I can't bend that finger back like I can the others. It's as if it got to my joint. I'm so happy to see that so many others have had this happen. My gold wedding ring is fine for 13 years now. I find it ironic that so may platinum wearing people developed this rash usually at the 2 year mark. To me, this tells me that it must be coated and there's nickel underneath. How could a person go about having the tested for types of metal actually in the ring? Who would you call, where could you take it? I really need to know because my dentist is making a bridge for me and it's made out of platinum. I told him no way...but he insists it's the safest metal and that many dentist use nickel but he refuses because he knows it makes people sick. He assumes that there must be nickel in my ring. I think getting a metal allergy test is a great idea but I'd like to get the ring tested as well. Any advice? Shellie B - St Peters, MO, USA November 7, 2006 I have worn my engagement ring (an antique made of platinum, an older metal) for over a year, but my wedding band is white gold. I too, have had a recent dry, scaly, and red reaction from my rings. I am a hair stylist, so I figured that it was from all of the hair products and shampooing I do daily that created this reaction; however, I've always been allergic to metals in general (belts, necklaces, earrings, etc.). This may be a silly question, but what kind of vinegar are you using for this mixture.. and are you using hydrogen peroxide too? Just want to make sure I'm clear on this antidote... I'm pretty desperate at this point! Jordan K - Oak Lawn, IL, USA November 14, 2006 (see Shellie's original post of Nov. 3) I'm the one that posted my story (see above) already. But wanted to update that I went to an allergist and he tested me for nickel allergy. Wore a patch with nickel in it for 3 days. No reaction. I also ordered a nickel tester kit for the platinum ring. Guess what, no nickel. Now I don't know what to do because the dental work being put in my mouth is going to be platinum. Do I assume I'm allergic and tell him to use something else that's not considered to be as safe as platinum. The dentist is a holistic dentist and really doesn't want to use anything other than his gold/platinum combo. He just doesn't believe anyone could be allergic to platinum. I'll clean it as suggested and see if it's not bacteria or whatever. Shellie B - St Peters, MO, USA

I just wanted to follow-up and let everyone know that since I've been using the vinegar and peroxide mix, I haven't had any more issues with this nasty rash.

Someone asked what type of vinegar I used...2 parts distilled white vinegar mixed with 1 part hydrogen peroxide. My ring is gold/diamond and I've been able to safely clean my ring with this solution about once a month.

It's worth giving it a try.

Sonya C
- Whites Creek, TN

Follow-up
A dermatologist friend basically told me I had developed eczema on the finger where I wear my rings and after research, use of steroidal creams and avoiding washing my hands/showering w/ the ring on as well as not sleeping with it, I think she was definitely right!!! The symptoms matched, my rash was only on the dorsal side (back) of my hand, not the palm & I have it totally under control by taking them off at night and keeping the finger really dry...
Might be the case for others too :)

Lisa W
- Charlotte, NC

So glad to find I am not the only one. I was given a platinum eternity ring this year and it has made my finger so sore, very red and swollen. At first I thought it was soap trapped behind it, so took it off to wash hands, (which I do a lot as I have a 7 month old and 2 other kids) this didn't help was still sore. Tried wearing on the other hand, made that finger sore. I didn't want to have it resized as would mean inserting a piece of platinum in between stones breaking the perfect circle, also would cost more on very expensive ring! My husband came up with the solution NAIL VARNISH. This is what I did when I used to be allergic to nickel in my jeans button. I coated the inside of the ring with the lacquer, and have been wearing the ring with no reaction for over a week, and have been washing my hands as much as ever without taking the ring off.

Carolyn N
- Leeds, Great Britain

Well, I was wondering myself if indeed, I was the only one who was suffering from the "finger eating platinum ring controversy"....ALAS....I THINK I HAVE THE ANSWER!
I have read through many of these forums, consulted many of my college physicians....tried hocus-pocus remedies (even did the vinegar/H202 soaks.) Anyway, I went to my personal physician finally today. DIAGNOSIS= Dyshidrotic Eczema. My signs and symptoms were the same as all of every one else's. My physician reassured me....even after my story about rhodium in platinum...?allergy. Or, I questioned if it was a fungus because I had even tried using Lotrimin cream on my finger for two weeks, and the rash had even did the same thing on other hand. I even asked if it would be worth while to be allergy tested for metals. Although we are all aware, those of us who wear platinum....no nickel in platinum. As far as the allergy testing, he said that platinum is THE MOST hypoallergenic metal, which is also what my VERY reputable jeweler reassured me of. Both the doctor and my jeweler though did remark the same on one thing; some cleaning solvents used to clean rings with can get stuck into the crevices, and then when we perspire they will seep into our skin, thus causing an irritation. Some people seem to be more sensitive to these solvents than others. So, check with your local jeweler to see what they would recommend to clean each individual type of ring,etc., with. (good old mild soap....[dawn] and water, and rinse really really well, usually works best is what I was told. Also, making sure that hands and ring is kept clean, and dry. My physician prescribed to me today: MOMETASONE FUROATE CREAM 0.1% (WHICH IS GENERIC FOR ELOCON.) I know that some of you have said that you have tried the hydrocortisone cream, (which I also tried-seemed to temporarily help, but only mildly, and then came back) and I told the doctor this today. My physician said that this just wasn't strong enough by a long shot.
Hope this helps!!

Jessica C
Nurse - Camby, IN, USA

Thanks for the info- I was beginning to freak out about my newly developed rash that only showed up after I had been wearing my platinum engagement ring for 6 months with no problem. I will have to use some of these solutions.

Keely B
- Greenville, SC, USA

I have my ring for 5 years now, for the last year I have this rash, that comes and goes, I went to the doctor and she just told me to dry my finger and ring after I wash my hands. Well, it didn't work, I would wait until it heals and put my ring back on, and the rash would come back. Finally, I came up with an idea: I put my baby's diaper rash cream around the rash area, and I didn't have to take the ring off, IT WORKED!!!! I am wearing my ring for the last month now and no rashes, but I put a little (really, just a bit) cream just to make sure, about 3 times a week, before I go to bed. I don't know but worked for me, I believe it is because that cream kills the bacteria caused by humidity. You can try, it will not harm anybody!!!!

Ingrid D
nickel- Lake Worth, FL, USA

I have the same problem with my new platinum ring as everybody else here. I have developed rash under my ring after 2 weeks. Did anybody try the vinegar & peroxide solution on a platinum ring?

Ivett S
- Austin, Tx

I just found this board after googling for wedding ring rash. It's so nice to know I'm not alone!! After wearing my platinum engagement ring for over 5 years, and my platinum wedding ring for over 4, I got this terrible rash on my finger. It's very isolated there. But it's not the flaky rash many of you speak of...more of a blistery, red, swelling that both itches and burns. Does this sound like anything any of you have had? What worked best for it? I managed to get the rings off before my finger swelled too much, and I've been using a hydrocortisone, which is having no effect at best, and possibly making it worse! I have an appointment with a derm tomorrow, but curious if this matched anyone else's symptoms!

Sara P
- Atlanta, GA, USA

I have a platinum eternity engagement ring and it's given me the red ring of rash. I used to have eczema as a child and I can tell you this is definitely a form of it. A friend of mine who is a high end jewelry designer said she recommends painting clear nail polish on the inside of the ring to seal it. Will write back with the results.

Julie P
Research - Los Angeles, CA, USA

I am having a similar experience as others on this posting. I have been married for almost 2 years and this is the first time that my platinum set has done this. I have a red, blister-like rash that burns and itches. If I don't wear my rings for a few days, put hydrocortisone cream on it and keep it dry, it dries up and peels. Then, I think it is cleared up, so I put my rings back on--the rash comes back. I thought, like others, that either i needed to get the ring sized up, was not drying my hands well enough, my ring needed to be cleaned, etc. I am a nurse. I wash my hands many, many times during a day. I also use hand-sanitizer. I tried to stop using the hand sanitizer just to see if that was it--well, it wasn't it! Anyway, all that said--i tried the vinegar and peroxide mixture to clean my rings. Now I'm just waiting for my rash to go away so I can put my rings back on to see if the mixture really worked. So, I will let you know if it worked for me! Thanks!

Miranda T
- Powell, TN

I just would like to say that if any woman out there who gets a greenish color under her ring finger without any rash, may be pregnant. I have a 14k wedding ring. not cheap and it turns my ring finger green every time that I am pregnant. This was the only time that it has happened, which seems odd, but was always a sign of pregnancy to me.Just something to think about.

Tamara M
- Flint, Michigan, United States

I also developed an allergy to my white gold ring in the past year, after 30 years of ring-wearing without an issue. Red, flaky, itchy, bumpy contact dermatitis or eczema have been my prognoses. I've heard the stated causes - dirt/chemicals under the ring, metal allergies, etc etc. I've tried over the counter creams and prescription cream steroids but the rash always returned. I was thinking about getting a replacement band in platinum, but not after reading these posts. Doesn't it seem odd that there are so many who "suddenly" acquired this rash on an old ring? I read somewhere that there was a suspected connection between aluminum in underarm deodorants/antiperspirants, and developing metal allergies. Do we all use deodorants with aluminum in them? Is there more aluminum in these suddenly, more than there used to be? Something isn't quite right.

Karen D
- Vancouver, WA, USA

I bought my wife a new wedding band for our 20th anniversary and we just picked it up today. Within one hour of putting it on her finger has begun itching and turning red. More fuel on the fire I guess but clearly she is reacting poorly to the ring.

Steve S
- Irvine, CA, USA

I had put my story up a few months back in 06. Basically I had said that after 2 years my platinum ring causes a horrible (very severe and nasty) rash. During that same time I was getting ready to have a crown put in and the dentist (holistic) said he doesn't use nickel, only gold/ platinum because he's found most people are allergic to nickel. I told him that I believed I was allergic to platinum because of the ring. He said that is pretty much unheard of and it probably has nickel in it. So because I was worried about putting this metal in my mouth, I went to an allergist. He didn't have a platinum test because he says he's not aware of that allergy. He did have a nickel test so he did that. It was negative. I also bought a kit to test my ring for nickel. It was negative. I'm now having a blood test done (actually by my dentist) to see what it says (I'm not sure if this blood vs metal compatibility test is just a scam or what....but we'll see what the results are). I just want you guys to know that I tried the mixture that someone recommended before my post and it didn't work. I tried to clean it many other ways as well and didn't work. My skin still reacts to this ring. I'll let you all know what happens with the blood test (if that is for real). I would just sell the ring and move on if it weren't for crown issue.

Shellie B
- St Louis, MO

Hi. I was interested to see all the others with reactions to platinum. After wearing my platinum engagement ring for a year, and platinum wedding band for six months I developed a dry, scaly rash on one side of my finger. I switched to the right hand and for a while that was okay. But then it developed there too (still only on one side of my finger, toward the middle finger). I've used antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-itch creams, garlic cloves (mentioned in earlier post which helps heal, but doesn't completely go away), salves, essential oils, etc. etc. The only time mine has completely cleared up was recently when we traveled to the west coast. I'm guessing the extra humidity helped. But, alas, each time I put the ring back on it comes back. I haven't tried cleaning the ring myself. I may try the peroxide/vinegar solution. Incidentally, my rash started after I had the ring appraised by my jeweler. He had also cleaned and polished it. I wonder if it could be a reaction to some of the chemicals used in the cleaning/polishing process. Who knows. Sorry there's so many that have to deal with this. Strange isn't it?

Rachel P
- Exeter, NH

I also wear (did wear) a platinum wedding ring, no problems for 3 years, then I had twins and 5 mos after I delivered my finger broke out in a rash. I have tried vinegar solution and all the creams and nothing has worked so far. I think it has something to do with hormones??

Jennifer E
- Corte Madera, Ca, USA

Count me as another member in your group. Platinum eternity diamond engagement ring and eternity diamond wedding band worn for approx. 2 years with no problems. Now for the past few months I have been battling a rash on my ring finger that won't go away. Tried over-the-counter creams and finally went to the dermatologist today. He said that he has no doubt that it is an allergy and gave me a prescription cream called "Vanos" (fluocinonide cream 0.1%). I am going to try the vinegar & peroxide solution (but am afraid to boil them!) as well as wear the ring on my other hand to see if it happens to that finger as well. I, like a few of the other posters, did have a baby about 1 year ago. Not sure if that has anything to do with my sudden allergy.

Elaine
- Silver Spring, MD, USA

I have also developed an allergy to my white gold wedding set and considered switching to platinum. I spoke with the design specialist at my jewelers, and she said that she also has an allergy to white gold, and that platinum is not the answer because of the COBALT alloy used in platinum, since platinum is nickel-free. It looks like 14k yellow gold is my best bet. So, the allergic reactions you are all exhibiting may be due to the cobalt used in making your platinum rings.

Gabrielle H
- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

Unfortunately, I don't have anything new to add, but am relieved to find others with similar problems.

11 months ago, I had a baby and have been battling with a dry, flaky, red, itchy rash under my platinum wedding & engagement bands since shortly after my son's birth. I thought it was due to hand-washing (I'm a mom & a nurse so I wash my hands A LOT!) or the alcohol-based hand sanitizer used at work, but no matter what I did to alter my habits, the rash would still reappear after putting the ring back on.

I've tried neosporin, cortisone, and various steroid creams. I do have a history of eczema and EXTREMELY sensitive skin (hence the platinum bands) and had never thought about the possibility that it could be hormone related...hmm, might have to chat with the doctors about this one. Thanks for the info & good luck to all! If anyone comes up with anything, please post!!!

Courtney L
- Charlottesville, VA

I wrote about my problem in Dec 2006 and thought an update might be beneficial. After reading the previous posts, I scrubbed my ring in the solution of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide described by a previous person.

I take off my ring every night when I sleep and no longer wear it in the shower. I do not wear it when I work out. I take it off every time I wash my hands (a pain) and dry my fingers thoroughly before putting it back on. Essentially I make sure the skin under the ring never gets damp or wet.

I have not had the rash again.

Keely B
- Greenville, SC, USA

I wore my 14k wedding set for 23 years before just becoming allergic to it overnight. First I got a red ring around my finger and I also switched it to the other hand and got the same result. I also had 14k diamond earrings that I always wore with the ring. Last summer I got a rash all over my whole body. It itched badly! I went to the dermatologist and he thought I was allergic to nickel and said there can be a small amount of nickel in all metals besides platinum. I had to take steroids to get rid of the rash. He put a nickel patch on my arm that I wore for three days and took off with NO red spot. I told the doctor there was no spot, but he still thought I was allergic to nickel. It was my 25th wedding anniversary this January so my husband just bought me a new platinum wedding set and I'm already starting to itch all over my body. There is no red ring on my finger though and that doesn't itch at all. After reading these messages I realized I have metal in a dental implant. I have to find out what kind of metal that is. Has anyone else had a rash all over their body from this? I am 49 and am starting menopause and wondering if hormones are playing a part. I have to find a solution to be able to wear my new ring.

Dawn L
- St. Louis, MO, USA

I posted back in July...I was having the same problem with my platinum rings-the red itchy spot that seemed to get worse each day. I tried one person's post which suggested soaking my rings in hydrogen peroxide. It totally grossed me out to see how long my rings bubbled...that meant that I had dead skin cells and most likely bacteria up in the cut-outs under the diamonds. Well...once I saw this I could not ignore it, so I followed it up with the boiling of my rings for about 10-15 minutes. I was hesitant to throw my rings into a pot of boiling water, but nothing bad happened to them and as they boiled stuff came out from under the diamonds...I also used a toothbrush to wiggle more stuff loose and boiled again. Needless to say, whatever bacteria was living up in there feeding off of my skin cells and irritating my finger was gone-and my rings sparkled like new again! I have not had the problem since and it has been about 10 months. This is something I will do annually if not sooner. Seemed to do the trick for me. I am so glad, I was thinking that we wasted money and would have to get another set of rings. Give it a try!

Laura L
- Tampa, FL, USA

Well, right now my house smells like cooking vinegar and peroxide - my rings are boiling away and you should see all the bubbles coming from the diamonds! I have worn my 14k gold ring for six and a half years and all of a sudden I got the itchy red rash under my ring, I took it off and put Lotramin anti fungal spray on my hand and it cleared up.
Wore the ring for a day - and BAM it was back again itching more than the first time. I was hesitant to boil my ring but figure its worth a try.
HOPEFULLY this will cure my ills - I will post again as soon my itchy ring finger heals and I try to wear the ring.
THANKS FOR THE ADVISE, HERE I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

Linda D
- Hamburg, PA

How thankful am I that there is the technology to reach a forum on this subject!! I, like so many others have dealt with a red, itchy, blistery rash on my ring finger over the course of many months. I suddenly got the problem after wearing my platinum wedding band (my platinum engagement ring doesn't bother me) after 13 years! I tried cleaning it and using cortisone cream, to no avail. I was convinced there was nickel in the ring. My husband even got me a new wedding band for Christmas - but after 6 months the rash came back!! SO - I read about the peroxide/vinegar solution and boiling it for 15 minutes...and so far, so good! The sonic jewelry cleaner I have clearly isn't good enough...I'm sticking to the boiling routine.

Lisa P
- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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