Can a Gold Necklace Cause a Rash?

Have you ever noticed that your skin is red and itchy after wearing jewelry? Well, it is important you know that this can be a common reaction to certain metals. Indeed, there are many people that experience these symptoms. It does not mean that you can no longer wear rings, bracelets and necklaces. It just means that you have to be particular about the accessories you choose and the materials you wear.

For example, many people want to know whether gold necklaces will cause a rash. Let’s break it down and take a closer look at the answer.

Can You Get a Rash from a Gold Necklace?

Nobody wants to buy a new necklace and for a rash to suddenly break out. This can be a disaster and this is particularly true if you are on a special occasion. You can end up being uncomfortable and itchy, as well as having red marks on your skin. Indeed, this can happen if you are wearing a necklace and it is made from materials you are allergic to.

So, can a gold necklace cause a rash? The answer is yes. But, it is important to realize why this happens so that you know what the best thing to do about it is. So, let’s take a closer look at what could be going on.

Other Metals are the Cause

First of all, it should be said that it is very rare to have an allergy to pure gold. The most likely reason why you are experiencing these side effects from a new necklace is due to the other materials that have been included in its construction. For example, some necklaces can contain a low amount of pure gold and more of other metals and alloys. So, it is likely that one of these is the case of the rash you are experiencing.

In particular, you want to be aware of nickel. This is a common allergen for people, and if your gold jewelry contains this, this could be where the discomfort is coming from. Something that is important is to check the karat number and what other metals have been used in the gold necklace. Stick to high karat numbers, such as in an Indian gold necklace set from Queen of Hearts. This jewelry is made from 22-karat gold, which means that there is a higher amount of gold used than other materials.

Avoid Low-Quality Jewelry

The best piece of advice is to avoid low-quality jewelry. In other words, gold pieces that have a low karat number. This means that they hardly contain any gold and more other metals and alloys. This is likely to be what is causing the rash, itchiness and discomfort you are experiencing.

Yes, you have to be prepared for gold jewelry to have a higher price tag. But, you can also benefit from the fact that they will contain more gold. Of course, this can avoid the rash, as well as last longer. Gold is a durable material that is not going to rust, which means that your necklaces can enjoy a long life. So, you could say that it is money well spent.

Explore Hypoallergenic Jewelry

Note that another option you have is to buy hypoallergenic jewelry. This is going to be labelled ‘hypoallergenic’, or you might see it named ‘nickel free’. Either way, it is not going to contain nickel, which is often the cause of allergic reactions. This can be more than just gold necklaces; you will find that some platinum and Sterling silver options can be described as this too.

Therefore, know that just because you have experienced a rash from one gold necklace, this does not mean that you have to stop wearing this type of jewelry. Instead, there are different options out there for you. You just have to shop around and find them.