Allergic Reactions To Silver Jewelry
Since pure silver is too soft to be used in jewelry, nickel is added to sterling silver to improve its luster and strength. If you are allergic to silver jewelry, you should see signs of contact dermatitis. The skin around and beneath the piece of jewelry becomes inflamed, itchy and dry. Severe allergic reactions make the skin appear red, flaky and scaly.
Blisters and rashes also may break out. In less severe allergic reactions, your skin becomes only mildly irritated and discolored. Depending on the other alloys used in your silver jewelry, the discoloration may be black, blue or green. Discolorations are caused by oxidation of the silver or the repeated use of soap and lotions on the skin with the jewelry.
The chemical change can cause a reaction in sensitive people. The discoloration is not necessarily an allergic reaction; instead, it might be harmless and easily washed off. Nickel allergies affect 7 percent to 15 percent of men and 24 percent to 36 percent of women. Nickel is used in minute amounts in silver jewelry and reaches the skin when the silver surface of the jewelry is tarnished.
When mixed with moisture and other chemicals on your skin, nickel forms nickel salts that are responsible for the allergic reactions. Nickel allergies can be diagnosed with a patch test. Alternately, you can do a modified test at home by taping a nickel coin to the inside of your arm for 48 hours. If you are allergic to nickel, there will be signs of contact dermatitis on your skin. To treat allergic reactions to your silver jewelry, use moisturizers, antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams.
If you choose to keep the jewelry, you can prevent further allergic reactions by coating the side in contact with your skin with one of many products designed to create a clear shield. Another option is to use clear nail polish. Electroplating the silver piece also prevents nickel from leaching out. Other less-expensive solutions include keeping your skin and the silver clean, applying powder to the skin beneath the silver and wearing the jewelry less often. Lose Weight. Feel Great! AGE lbs. WEIGHT ft.
Keep in mind that you’re exercising to improve your health, not so you can eat more. This is something many people don’t think about, but when you embark on a new healthy lifestyle habit like exercise, the other people in your life may not jump on board with you right away.
One of the pitfalls of starting a new healthy habit is that the actions taken to improve your health may disrupt the flow of some of your relationships. To some, your new penchant for daily exercise may appear vain or selfish. Others may fear that it will take time away from them as you spend more time at the gym.
They may think you’re not up for having fun with them anymore because you’re getting healthy. Or they may be jealous when you start looking and feeling so much better. Be sure to invite those in your life along for the journey. You can have more fun getting fit and can encourage others to improve their health and well-being too. Think of this as your opportunity to create a new healthy habit with those you love and you might be able to avoid this con entirely.
Exercise can have a place in anyone's life, especially when it is approached with caution. Carefully examine the pros and cons and determine for yourself if the pros outweigh the cons. If you decide to embark on a new exercise program, please check with your doctor and obtain his or her clearance for beginning a program. It doesn’t take much -- even a quick 20-minute walk can improve your energy, help you sleep better and improve your mood. So lace up your sneakers, grab a friend and get moving. The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll begin reaping all of the wonderful benefits exercise has to offer. Lose Weight. Feel Great! AGE lbs. WEIGHT ft.
