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Letter 33777
Platinum Wedding Ring now causes rash?
[California]
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+++++
I had purchased a Platinum Engagement and Wedding ring
set from a jeweler in the Downtown LA Jewelry Mart. My wife
has had the rings since our wedding in August of 2001.
Lately she gets a red rash around her ring finger and it is
caused by the rings! Did she develop a sudden and consistent
allergic reaction? Is my supposed platinum ring not really
platinum? Is the ring merely rhodium coated? What can I do ?
Thanks.
Dale J [last name deleted for privacy due
to age of posting]
home owner - LA, CA, USA
First of two simultaneous responses +++++
First of all, get your wife tested by a dermatologist for
metal allergies. Once you have determined what she is
allergic to, then something can be done about it. Many
allergies associated with jewelry are due to nickel, but it
is not usual for platinum to have nickel in it, unless it is
a cheap platinum alloy. There are a lot of submissions about
nickel allergies and jewelry on this site and other
information can be obtained from organizations such as NiDI
(Nickel Development Institute). If it is a metal allergy, a
good deposit of rhodium usually puts pay to its effects,
although it is not a permanent coating and will have to be
replaced every few years.
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Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist - UK
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Second of two simultaneous responses +++++
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about platinum will
come by....but one thing you may want to look into is it
being a possible infection (yeast) it sounds gross but it
does happen quite a bit, especially if it isn't taken off
during bathing. Moisture from sweat, washing hands etc will
stay under the ring..and warm wet places are where
fungus/yeast like to be.
Jason Aube
- Flint, MI, USA
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+++++
I'm 7 months pregnant. About two months ago, I developed a red,
itchy rash under my wedding and engagement rings. I have worn the
engagement ring for 2 years and wedding ring for 7 months without a
problem. Any idea what might be wrong?
Antoinette R [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- New York, NY, USA
+++++
I suggest you ask your O&G/pediatrics consultant. He/she will
be in a better position to answer your problems than people on this
site, as he/she will know more about you and your condition than
anyone else. If he/she cannot, at least you can be pointed in the
right direction.
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Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist - UK
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+++++
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I have also bought my ring in the jewelry mart in LA -
which place did you go? And also have a rash! I tried moving
it to my right hand and within 2 days got a similar rash on
the right side. Was curious if this is still an issue for
your wife.
Alison A [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- San Francisco, California, USA
+++++
I have been wearing my wedding ring for the past year
that is made from platinum and 18 kt yellow gold. Over the
past 6-8 months I have been developing a rash only on one
side of my finger that I wear the ring on. Everything that I
read states that platinum is the metal for skin allergies
and I have no problem wearing 14 kt gold so I am wondering
if I could be one of the few that could be allergic to
platinum or could it be the 18 kt gold as they both come in
contact with my finger. Wouldn't 18 kt gold be more pure
than 14 kt gold, or do you think that it could possibly be
the gold portion that I am allergic too? I am about to have
my diamond reset into the original 14 kt gold Tiffany mount
so that I can at least enjoy my diamond but I really hate
that I cannot wear this 2 tone mount that was rather costly
- any suggestions?
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Nickel
Test Kit
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LisaJoy G [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Atlanta, GA, USA
+++++
For those of you with repeating rashes such as the rash
reappearing on the other hand I would get tested for metal
allergies.
For those of you who suddenly develop a rash after having worn
something for a long time I would try some cortisone cream and leave
the ring off for a week or two.
I had the same thing happen with a plain silver band I had been
wearing for months and months. It seemed like I had gotten some
moisture and perhaps some bacteria underneath the ring that irritated
the skin and made it itchy and then sort of dry and scaly. It would
start to clear up a bit, so I figured I could put the ring back on,
but once I did it would break out again.
So I had to wait for the "rash" to clear up completely before I could
wear my ring again.
Give it a try, so long as your ring doesn't cause the same reaction
on your other hand.
Jucstice S [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Bonney Lake, WA
+++++
I have been suffering with a rash on my ring finger for the past
18 months. I have two children ages 5 & 2 yrs old.
Last weekend my girlfriend showed me her ring finger and she has the
same rash. She has a one year old and her rash just started a couple
of months ago. She spoke to her Doctor about it and was told that it
is a reaction to the gold due to a hormone after having children.
Hopefully now that I know what it is something can be done. If I have
my ring on for one day I will suffer for two weeks with the rash.
Shawna S [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Kanata, On, Canada
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January 5, 2006
I recently got married and my husband bought me a
platinum wedding ring. After some time I started having a
rash and dryness around the area where the ring made contact
with my finger. I have worn several finishes of rings
including silver, gold and junk, my whole life and never had
any kind of reaction. In high school I use to where a ring
on almost every finger. After doing some research on line I
found that platinum is one of the most hypoallergenic metals
made and people buy it specifically if they have allergic
reactions to metal. The ring is stamped by "Ratani" (the
brand) and says PT950, which I have read is the highest
quality of platinum that you can buy. I went back to the
jewelry store and they suggested that maybe I wasn't drying
my hands properly. I knew that wasn't it but I made sure to
take particular causation when drying my hands and see if
the reaction still persisted. I also had the ring
professionally cleaned in case some chemicals or something
had some how seeped into the ring. One of my friends told me
that platinum is often treated with chemicals that may be
causing the reaction. I can't seem to find any information
that validates her belief. What could be causing my skin to
react in this way? Can anyone help? Thanks
Ruth K [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
consumer - San Francisco
January 8, 2006
I'm glad I found these postings. I have been suffering
from the same rash after about 6 months of wearing my
expensive platinum wedding ring, purchased from a fine
jewelry store in Santa Monica. We purposely bought from a
boutique jewelry store to prevent problems.
I will go to my dermatologist first, then see the
store.
My first inclination is that soap got caught inside the open
grooves of my eternity lace cut ring, bacteria under the
skin is my guess.
I will post back once I get the solution.
Ginnie K [last name deleted for privacy due
to age of posting]
- Santa Monica, CA
February 15, 2006
I have worn a platinum wedding ring for two years and I
have trouble with a red dry rash underneath it off and on. I
find that leaving it off for a while until it goes away and
using neosporin helps. I have also started taking it off at
night, since my fingers swell sometimes which also irritates
it. I have very sensitive skin and I have no idea why it
reacts to the platinum.
Mary S [last name deleted for privacy due
to age of posting]
- Houston, Texas
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April 4, 2006
I just got this ring in January for my 20th and it is more like a
callus than a rash. This is a very pricey ring purchased in a store
in L.A. as well. I do not want to change metal but I have had the
ring on my other hand for about a week and the problem is starting on
that hand. Any ideas?? I was at my doctor's for another issue and
they said it looked like a contact allergy but blew me off. Now it is
worse and I am going back.
Catherine J [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
consumer - San Diego, CA, USA
April 11, 2006
It is good to know that I am not alone, but the wife and I both
ran into the problem years after wearing the rings. Our jeweler
suggested a good cleaning as soaps get in the grooves on the bottom.
That cleared up my wife's, but mine remains. Have not worn the ring
in over 5 months and I still have a red mark and some dry flaky skin.
The ring was also tight so am having it resized, to see if that
relieves it all. Odd how something like that develops over time, I
would think that an allergy to the metal would be almost immediate.
That makes me think of the soaps, etc under the ring.
Ray M [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Houston, TX
April 27, 2006
After having a blood-type allergy test, I found out I was allergic
to many metals. Rhodium was one of them. It is often used to coat
jewelry and to make platinum harder. A few years ago I had to have a
titanium plate removed from my neck because it was causing other
health problems--I lost 30 lbs. Then, after telling my orthopedic
surgeon that I was allergic to "metals", he still insisted on putting
a stainless steel plate with many screws in my arm and leg when I
broke them last year. Now I'm going to have to have another operation
to take that hardware out. So I would suggest that anyone with any
type of "metal" allergy, take a metal allergy test so you can really
know what you can and cannot wear or have implanted in your body. It
was the dentist who finally had me get the allergy test before
deciding to do implants or dentures. What's wrong with the "doctors"?
Why don't they order the test as a matter of procedure before doing
anything involving putting any metal in the body?
April B [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- San Jose, CA, USA
June 30, 2006
I am having the same exact problem! I have two wedding rings in
white gold and a sapphire ring I wear with them my husband got me
after the birth of our twins which was 8 months ago. Ever since then
I have this horrible red, flaky rash around my finger. I am desperate
to find out what this is! Anyone to to a dermatologist and get a
diagnosis? Is it in fact allergy or is it just some kind of fungus?
Christy D [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Cedar Grove, NJ
July 10, 2006
I have been wearing my 18k white gold ring with diamonds and
sapphires for 5 years and I just started to have an allergic reaction
to it. I apply hydrocortisone daily which clears it up but once I
start wearing the ring again the rash reappears. I keep hoping it
will clear itself but I am beginning to think its like a leaky
faucet, so its time to see a dermatologist. I'm glad I found these
postings because I thought it was just me. :)
Angela B [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- San Diego, CA
August 4, 2006
I have developed the same flaky rash after wearing my white gold
wedding ring and engagement ring all the time for four years. I also
have 2 friends that have the same problem. After a little research, I
think I will go home and soak my ring in 2 parts vinegar and 1 part
hydrogen peroxide [link is to product info at Amazon] and boil
it for about fifteen minutes. This helped many people from mohea.com
site. I'll let you know how it goes!
Jennifer G [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
August 13, 2006
Alright, I tried the before mentioned cure and it worked!! I am
totally itchy rash free!! I think it must have been a bacteria or
fungus that built up underneath my ring over the years. Or maybe
because I've been cleaning a lot with harsher chemicals my skin broke
down and was infected more easily. Either way, I am totally cured! I
am glad I didn't waste money on getting my ring re-dipped or buying a
platinum ring. Hope this helps!
Jennifer G [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
August 19, 2006
Wow, I have the same rash, who knew so many people would be
posting this online...I've worn my rings for over 2 years with no
problems.
Mine started to clear up after not wearing the rings for about 5 days
& applying hydrocortisone & then I wore them overnight the
other night & woke up w/ it itching like crazy & it is
back...only this time it seems to be more in the area where my
wedding band is versus my engagement ring.
I guess I'll get the rings cleaned really well, be more diligent
about not wearing them til it is gone and also try some yeast creams
in case that is what it is... glad to see I'm not the only one out
there but I hope I don't have to have my ring dipped! :(
Lisa W [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Charlotte, NC, USA
August 24, 2006
I have recently developed a red rash around the top of my ring
finger. I too have a platinum set and have worn it for a little over
two years.
Has anyone had the nickel testing done? Was that the cause? How did
you solve the problem with the rings/how did you fix them?
Laura L [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Tampa, FL, USA
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September 1, 2006
I've had the same symptoms for several months. After
trying hydrocortisone, neosporin, etc., I began to suspect a
fungal infection, so tried clotrimizole, which seemed to
help some. The most helpful thing so far is to rub the cut
edge of a clove of garlic (strong antifungal and antibiotic
properties) on the area regularly. After 5 days of this,
it's almost gone.
Christine G [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Medina, Ohio, USA
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September 2, 2006
I changed my white gold wedding rings to platinum at the end of
last year due to a metal allergy and rash, and everything was fine
until the summertime. Now I have a red rash with water blisters
again. The strange thing is that if I take my platinum rings off at
night, the rash actually gets worse. When I leave them on, the rash
starts to heal under the rings. Could this be more of a fungal or
bacterial infection rather than a metal allergy?
Traci S [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
Consumer - Chesapeake, VA, USA
September 5, 2006
I've had my ring resized at least 3 times thinking that my
recurring rash was due to weight gain, causing fungus to grow under
my ring. Yet I still continue to get them. I think I will try the
vinegar and peroxide solution previously posted above. I've recently
been reminded of the excellent way that both vinegar and peroxide
individually have of killing bacteria and germs...they've got to be
awesome when used together. If this IS the solution, then its pretty
simple and cheap.
Sonya C [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Whites Creek, TN, USA
September 6, 2006
Me too, me too! I'm jumping on this bandwagon of platinum
ring-wearing rash-bearers. I have the same problem. After wearing the
ring for 6 years, I suddenly got this awful red, blistery rash that
itches. I left the ring off for days and it went away, but returned
when I put the ring back on. I tried cleansing the ring thoroughly,
then I tried Cortizone cream (no use) and am now trying anti-fungal
cream. I'll let you know if this latest remedy works out...
Ann Marie S [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Austin, TX, USA
September 11, 2006
I'm back with my report on the vinegar and peroxide solution. It
really works! I didn't even boil it, I just soaked it in 2 parts
vinegar and one part peroxide overnight. I then brushed it with a
toothbrush to be sure it was thoroughly clean. I even started wearing
it before my rash was completely healed and it continued to heal!
It's ironic because now my husband is now complaining of the rash for
the first time in 10 years...lol. I immediately gave him the solution
to the problem. I had tried all the cortizone and anti-fungal creams
on my rash. I even tried vinegar, peroxide, neosporin on the rash.
But it always returned when I put the ring on and the ring would
irritate it even further. This vinegar and peroxide really work.
Thanks Jennifer for giving us this information.
Sonya C [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Whites Creek, TN
September 12, 2006
WOW! I am having the exact same problem. After camping in July I
too developed a rash under my platinum wedding set that I have been
wearing for over two years without a problem. (I previously had an
all gold set that I never had a problem with.) I have also used, with
success, cortisone cream only to have the rash reappear overnight
once I start wearing my rings again. A doctor friend suggested that
it is a bacteria/fungus or maybe an oil from vegetation from our
camping trip. I am also going to try the peroxide/vinegar cleaning
solution and will post if it works for me too! Thanks for all the
postings...I thought I was the only one!
Susan V [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
September 13, 2006
Hey Sonya, is your ring platinum? I want to try the
vinegar/peroxide thing but I don't want to hurt the platinum. Stupid
rash. I've been having a constant rash ever since I got my platinum
engagement ring over a year ago. I thought it was just soap getting
under it so I left the ring off a few days and the rash healed. But
then when I got the platinum wedding band a month ago, I started
having a MAJOR rash. I've had the rings off for about a week and the
rash is still trying to heal. It could be because the rings are
really thick too. Who knows. I'm sorry to everyone that shares this
same problem!! At least we are all in the same boat together.
Rachael S [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- San Jose, CA
September 18, 2006
To answer the previous question, my ring is gold. If you're afraid
of soaking in the suggested solution, try just using a toothbrush to
clean the underside of your ring thoroughly with the same solution
and rinse.
Sonya C [last
name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Whites Creek, TN, US
September 24, 2006
I have a new platinum ring but I have a bit of a different
reaction, my finger turns a grey colour, I've been to the local
jewelers and they said it is platinum but there not sure what is
causing these marks, I'm desperate for an answer...please could
someone help me??
Rachel L [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
waitress - Sheffield, England
September 30, 2006
I am so relieved to find these posts about platinum allergies! I
have been wearing my platinum wedding set for almost 6 years now, and
starting about 4 years ago I began developing a burning red ring
around my finger. Having the rings re-rhodiumed every year helps but
is expensive. It's been the only cure I could find other than not
wearing my rings! I haven't been tested for metal allergy but that
will be my next step. Although I don't know how that will help with
my rings as I don't want to give up my platinum. So I guess I'll be
visiting the jeweler every year for the rhodium!
Debra K [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Carrollton, TX, USA
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October 10, 2006
I typed this question about possible platinum allergy
into Google and this site came up. When I started reading
what people had submitted, my heart dropped. I don't want to
be allergic to my new ring!! I received it for my 25th
anniversary and have been waiting so long! I had only worn
it three months before developing a very red, scaly, itchy
rash. After about a month I went to the dr. She gave me a
prescription cream that is used for excema that is very
strong ( a steroid). It was incredible and after 5 days my
finger was perfect. No trace of anything. I put my ring back
on. Two days later I had to take it off again, the rash was
back and it was painful. My ring has small diamonds that go
all the way around and I thought something was trapped in
there. I had used a cleaning gel. But I have cleaned it with
mild soapy water, rinsed and scrubbed it, and as soon as I
put it on it irritates. I too will try the vinegar/peroxide
rinse. Please help if you know something new.
Lisa D [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Mission Viejo, California, USA
October 13, 2006
Suddenly, after 8 yrs of wearing my wide, thick "red gold
14 ct." wedding band, I have a "rash" on my finger, but only
on one side of my finger - the side nearest to the middle
finger. I noticed it 4 days after being licked by a dog...
(who knows?).
I wore my ring constantly, through showers, hand-washing,
cooking, hot humid summers when it would be very tight or
winter when it would become looser. When I washed my hands I
moved it up my finger a bit (towards the knuckle) to ensure
I dried my finger thoroughly and then moved the ring back
into its' spot.
The rash appeared "overnight" & it initially looked to
me like a "cold sore" that you get on you lip -- tiny little
water blisters sort of. I first thought that a grain of salt
had become lodged underneath it during cooking & had
caused a water-blister-like reaction.
Like everyone, I took the ring off, put cortisone & it
healed. Put the ring back on & it's back.
I'm afraid to use the peroxide/vinegar solution or to clean
it with a toothbrush -- since the one & only time I
tried the toothbrush cleaning, one of the diamonds
(flush/pavé set) fell out & the ring had to be
re-melted & re-made to put the diamond back in. (it's a
custom-made ring from a reputable jewelry maker). (Which
makes it doubly-irritating -- ha ha --since we chose the
rings so as to wear them always -- rings that were extremely
well-fitted & comfortable & practical).
Did anyone come in contact with any animal saliva before the
rash happened? Seems that if it was a contagious,
fungus-like infection that it would spread, no?
Beth C [last name deleted for privacy due to age of
posting]
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
October 18, 2006
I am so glad to have found this site! I too had a
horrible rash that would appear after wearing my platinum
set for a day and would clear up when I didn't wear them
(this started a month ago after wearing the set for 5
years). I went to the dermatologist yesterday and he said it
was a nickel allergy and that the platinum coating is
wearing off. His suggestions included: finding a clear
plastic spacer to put between my rings and the bottom part
of my hand, recoat the ring, or reset it in Stainless Steel.
I am going to try the vinegar mixture first before checking
out other options.
Beth S [last name deleted for privacy due
to age of posting]
- Macon, GA, USA
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