■ About Metal Allergy
Metal allergy refers to all allergic symptoms caused by metals. It is caused when metal ions that dissolve from metals due to perspiration combine with skin proteins and are transformed into new proteins, becoming allergens. Allergic contact dermatitis (rash) is a specific symptom of allergic contact dermatitis.
It is more common in women than in men and is thought to be caused by frequent contact with metal on the skin, such as through piercings. The number of people with metal allergies is said to be increasing every year, and anyone is at risk of developing the condition suddenly. Symptoms can be avoided by avoiding contact with the metals that cause metal allergies.
● Typical metals that are less likely to cause metal allergies
(1) Titanium
Titanium is well known as a material that does not easily cause metal allergies. This is because, in air, the surface of titanium is covered with a solid passive oxide film, making it as highly corrosion resistant as precious metals, and it does not ionize under the influence of sweat or other factors. Titanium is less expensive than precious metals such as gold and platinum and has excellent properties as a material for wedding rings, including hardness, lightness, and beauty. We offer titanium wedding ring recommendations to our customers.
(2) Gold and platinum
Gold and platinum are metals that do not ionize efficiently and are less likely to cause metal allergies. In reality, however, it is a fact that there are quite a few people with metal allergies who cannot wear gold or platinum rings. Why is this?
For example, if a gold ring is "18K," it contains 75% gold. "Platinum 900" has 90% platinum content. This is because gold and platinum are soft metals unsuitable for jewelry products such as rings on their own, so they are mixed with other metals mainly to increase strength. This may be the cause of allergies.
(3) Zirconium and tantalum
Along with titanium, rare metals such as zirconium and tantalum are said to be less likely to cause metal allergies. However, they are pretty minor as wedding band materials and are not a common choice.
Metal allergy refers to all allergic symptoms caused by metals. It is caused when metal ions that dissolve from metals due to perspiration combine with skin proteins and are transformed into new proteins, becoming allergens. Allergic contact dermatitis (rash) is a specific symptom of allergic contact dermatitis.
It is more common in women than in men and is thought to be caused by frequent contact with metal on the skin, such as through piercings. The number of people with metal allergies is said to be increasing every year, and anyone is at risk of developing the condition suddenly. Symptoms can be avoided by avoiding contact with the metals that cause metal allergies.
● Typical metals that are less likely to cause metal allergies
(1) Titanium
Titanium is well known as a material that does not easily cause metal allergies. This is because, in air, the surface of titanium is covered with a solid passive oxide film, making it as highly corrosion resistant as precious metals, and it does not ionize under the influence of sweat or other factors. Titanium is less expensive than precious metals such as gold and platinum and has excellent properties as a material for wedding rings, including hardness, lightness, and beauty. We offer titanium wedding ring recommendations to our customers.
(2) Gold and platinum
Gold and platinum are metals that do not ionize efficiently and are less likely to cause metal allergies. In reality, however, it is a fact that there are quite a few people with metal allergies who cannot wear gold or platinum rings. Why is this?
For example, if a gold ring is "18K," it contains 75% gold. "Platinum 900" has 90% platinum content. This is because gold and platinum are soft metals unsuitable for jewelry products such as rings on their own, so they are mixed with other metals mainly to increase strength. This may be the cause of allergies.
(3) Zirconium and tantalum
Along with titanium, rare metals such as zirconium and tantalum are said to be less likely to cause metal allergies. However, they are pretty minor as wedding band materials and are not a common choice.
