QuestionHi Thomas. I have this necklace i just bought, and loved. It isn't fine jewelry
or anything with a carat measurement, but to me its worth it. I have worn it
only twice and i got an itchy rash from the necklace on my neck. Is there any
way I can keep the jewelry or am i allergic to it. The strange thing to me is
never in my life have i had a reaction to any type of metal or jewelry whether
it be cheap metal or fine jewelry! is there something i could soak the jewelry
in or spray? thanks a bunch! alicia
AnswerAlicia, thanks for the tough question. The answer is easy, meaning there is really very little you can do if your skin is sensitive for some reason to the metals or finish of the inexpensive necklace. Research by a man I know who is in the metals business shows that skin sensitivity reactions can begin suddenly. You do not have to have a history of this. It can simply be triggered and start, with skin reactions the result.
This is a tough question because we really do not know why you are getting the itchy rash. We can assume hyper sensitivity to something about the necklace but who know just what! Is the necklace simply metal? If so, it is likely the metal, whatever that might be. If the necklace has decorations any protruding parts that may be making the reaction worse. Without seeing the necklace, there is little I can recommend. Even if I did see it, there is little to recommend of a sort that really works.
You will hear all sorts of stuff like "coat it with clear nail polish" and such. The idea of these thoughts is to make a barrier between the necklace and your skin. Then again, a necklace gunked up with nail polish will look bad and be stiff with some parts painted together. This is not a solution.
There are creams some jewelry stores sell which are generally worn with rings to help prevent skin reactions. The creams are lotion like and create a temporary barrier to direct contact with your skin. I don't know of anyone trying the creams on the neckline but it might be worth a try. I can tell you this will not be a perfect answer and may not work well at all. This is one you have to try to find out how well it works and if it is worth all the trouble.
Best wishes, Alicia. I wish there was more to offer. With gold items, a plate of rhodium can be applied to surfaces facing skin and that does help most ladies until the rhodium plate wears away in time. With costume items and a necklace at that, this sort of plate will not work and likely could not be applied in the first place. It would also possibly cost more for the plated layer than the necklace cost originally.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. August 16, 2008
