Allergic to titanium wedding band
Paul Shinn
Paul Shinn
my titanium wedding band continuously for almost 2 years. Only last week
did I notice my ring finger getting itchy and red/raised underneath my
ring. I switched it my other hand. I work in a lab and routinely wear
latex gloves and work with chemicals but I can't remember spilling
anything on myself and I don't have a latex allergy. I have no known
allergies. I do leave the ring on all the time even in the shower so it
does remain wet afterwards. However, no problems for 2 years. This is my
first piece of jewelry except for my watch which is stainless steel. The
nurse at work suggested there could be nickel in the ring but I don't
think that's likely (or is it?) I'm almost hoping my other finger breaks
out to prove that something is wrong with the ring then I may be able to
bring it back. Any ideas? From what I've read, Ti is 100%
hypoallergenic.
Thanks, Paul
Jenrose
the alloys and either figure out a metal which will work better (usually
people have problems with nickel in the alloy) or find a way to keep the
alloy from sitting against the skin. Sometimes using a thin coat of clear
nail polish will do the trick...but this is not a very good permanent
solution.
Jenrose
"Paul Shinn" <psh...@force.stwing.upenn.edu> wrote in message
news:tlr0cv83joceukaqs...@4ax.com...
> Thanks, Paul
Paul Shinn
years. Just last week my ring finger became itchy and slighty red/raised
under my ring. I switched the ring to my right hand. Except for my
plastic/stainless steel watch, this is the only piece of jewelry I have
ever worn. It was my understanding that titanium was 100% hypoallergenic.
The ring stays on in the shower and when I do dishes so it does stay wet
under there. I also work in a lab and routinely wear latex gloves. I
have no known allergies. Someone suggested that the matte finish on the
ring could trap some irritant. The nurse at work suggested there could be
trace amounts of nickel in the ring but I doubt there would be enough
compared to gold or other metals. Anyway, I'm looking for any ideas--
especially how to clean the ring (never been done except under running tap
water) so my other finger doesn't break out. It's OK so far.
Thanks, Paul
Fiona
news:<tlr0cv83joceukaqs...@4ax.com>...
> Thanks, Paul
I'm presuming you're asking for advice?
First of all, when it comes to metal allergies, it's not commonly due
to titanium, gold, etc. It's because of what's alloyed with. The
most common metal allergen is nickel, which is alloyed with gold and
several other metals (it's also the reason many people are allergic to
so-called surgical steel).
What you need to do is get your ring coated with a pure metal to which
you are not allergic. The most common one used in this case is
rhodium. Visit a reputable jeweler and arrange to have it done.
Sharon in San Jose
(jewelry maven, and allergic to nickel)
Peter W. Rowe
wrote:
>>Paul Shinn <psh...@force.stwing.upenn.edu> wrote in message
>>news:<tlr0cv83joceukaqs...@4ax.com>...
>>> Thanks, Paul
>>
>>I'm presuming you're asking for advice?
Yes he was. Through no fault of his, the body of the post got mostly deleted
when I (the moderator of the rec.crafts.jewelry newsgroup) approved and posted
it, due to a software glitch in my computer. Two versions of the reposted
message appear today.
>>
>>First of all, when it comes to metal allergies, it's not commonly due
>>to titanium, gold, etc. It's because of what's alloyed with. The
>>most common metal allergen is nickel, which is alloyed with gold and
>>several other metals (it's also the reason many people are allergic to
>>so-called surgical steel).
While nickel is by FAR the most aggressive problem with metal allergies,
allergies to other metals are not unknown. copper is the next most common, not
surprisingly, since its the next most reactive of the common jewelery metals.
it is, in fact, slightly toxic. While it's rare, people can also be allergic to
both gold and silver, though as i say, it's rare. gold especiallly is rare.
Platinum allergies are even rarer. The thing with titanium is that when wearing
a Ti ring, one is not exposed to metallic titanium. The metal forms, instantly
on contact with air, a thin but very tough impervious oxide coating. Normally
it's transparent. It can be made thicker though anodizing (forcing an electric
current through the oxide, which thickens the oxide layer), to the point where
the layer is thick enough to cause optical interference effects, which is why
and how this type of anodizing can cause colors on titanium, and it's relative,
niobium. This oxide layer essentially prevents an allergy to actual titanium
metal, simply because it protects the wearer from the metal itself. And the
oxide layer is so stable and strong that it's also very unlikely to be the cause
of an allergic reaction.
>>
>>What you need to do is get your ring coated with a pure metal to which
>>you are not allergic. The most common one used in this case is
>>rhodium. Visit a reputable jeweler and arrange to have it done.
The approach works, at least temporaritly, with rings made of gold or platinum
alloys. White golds (made of gold, nickel, copper, and trace metals) are almost
always rhodium electroplated, both to improve the color (rhodium is whiter than
many white golds), and to hide sometimes apparent solder joints, and it can also
help prevent allergic reactions. Nickel in white golds is enough of a problem
that in europe, it's not even legal to sell jewelery made of most white golds,
if the jewelery will be worn in contact with skin. There, most white golds are
alloys made with gold and palladium, rather than the nickle. Both rhodium and
palladium are members of the platinum group of metals, and all offer exceptional
degrees of freedom from common allergy problems.
Note, however, that while rhodium electroplating can be done to gold or platinum
rings, it's considerably more complex to do properly on silver, so few jewelers
offer it on silver, and Titanium rings cannot be rhodium plated at all, at least
not by the usual means available to jewelers. One can put such rings in the
plating bath, and sometimes even see what looks like a deposit forming, but it
doesn't adhere to the titanium, due to that oxide layer mentioned above, and
just brushes back off on your finger or clothes.
But it shouldn't be needed in any case. titanium is considered one of the most
inert metals in terms of it's reactivity with the body. Equal to platinum, or
perhaps in some cases, even better. Theres a good reason beyond just it's low
cost compared to gold, why so much piercing jewelery is made in titanium, as
well as why it's such a commonly used metal in surgical implants. It simply
doesnt' cause the problems other metals do.
Still, ANY ring can trap contaminants, and often titanium rings are finished
with a matte finish, sandblast finish, or other finish that's not a high polish
on the inside. The reasons for this are that in the first place, to be blunt,
the stuff is a bitch to polish, and for the somewhat lower costs charged for
titanium pieces, few jewelers are willing to spend the time and effort (and thus
cost) to struggle with getting titanium really high polished. Plus, since so
often it's anodized for a bright color, the matte finishes show the colors much
more intensely. But the scratches or microscopic multiple pits, or whatever,
that make the surface matte finished are on some level, all capable of trapping
small amounts of foreign material, which may be an allergen. If this is the
case (and it probably wouldn't be an actually visible layer), then just a good
thorough cleaning should help a lot. And if more aggressive action is needed,
having your jeweler get as good a polish on the inside of the ring as he/she can
do, will also help a lot, even if it isn't a mirror shine, perfect polish)
Peter Rowe
moderator
rec.crafts.jewelry
(and a reasonably experienced jeweler too, after over 30 years of it, so I kinda
hope I know what I'm talking about by now...)
Carl 1 Lucky Texan
indeed be rutile, the oxide of titanium. But I think a lot of these
rings are the 6AlV4 alloy (this is 'Krell' metal folks, very tough - for
those of you fond of classic Sci-Fi movies<g>) not usually CP1
(commercially pure) and PERHAPS some substance you encountered abraded
through the oxide layer exposing the raw metal to your skin. This can
happen with
ladies makeup and skin cleansers which have some slight abrasive
properties. It's unlikely the Ti oxide was severely abraded away but
possible.
Then there is this thing I learned about years ago that drug researchers
call the "aardvark syndrome". If you test a substance for safety on
every animal in the zoo and it only kills the aardvark - and then decide
to release it for use by people - somewhere there is a human with
exactly the same metabolism as an aardvark and they will 'recycle their
phophates'! perhaps you are a unique allergic reactor to titanium. Not
likely but possible.
Please let us know how the other finger does OK?
Carl
1 Lucky Texan
--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)
C Ryman
finger and the ring after washing. I had this problem before, the skin just
gets tired of being abused with chemicals, dampness and chaffing. Hope this
is helpful.
--
Connie
"Paul Shinn" <psh...@force.stwing.upenn.edu> wrote in message
news:7p53cvg84820m39do...@4ax.com...
Tabaqui
Paul Shinn wrote:
>
> Looks like something happened to my original post. Anyway, I've worn
> my titanium wedding band continuously for almost 2 years. Only last week
> did I notice my ring finger getting itchy and red/raised underneath my
> ring. I switched it my other hand. I work in a lab and routinely wear
Definitly wait a week or so to see what happens to the 'new'
finger - could be you just got something under your ring on
the 'regular' finger - could you have gotten into poison ivy
or some such? You never know.
Report back. :)
TQ
Liz Baker
"Jenrose" <jen...@jenrose.com> wrote in message
news:pp53cv4h26d9qlpab...@4ax.com...
> If you're asking the question in the subject line, the answer is to check
> the alloys and either figure out a metal which will work better (usually
> people have problems with nickel in the alloy) or find a way to keep the
> alloy from sitting against the skin. Sometimes using a thin coat of clear
> nail polish will do the trick...but this is not a very good permanent
> solution.
I was going to suggest a permanent lacquer.
Liz
Barry
"Carl 1 Lucky Texan" wrote:
> ladies makeup and skin cleansers which have some slight abrasive
> properties. It's unlikely the Ti oxide was severely abraded away but
> possible.
>
Even if you were to remove the oxide layer it would come right back.
-This is assuming the ring is made from 6AL4V. The oxide layer grows
instantly in the presence of oxygen. Scratch your ring and that oxide
layer is coming right back as you are forming the scratch.
6 parts aluminum
4 parts vanadium
90 parts pure titanium
Its this mixture that causes the best oxide layer to grow on the surface
of the metal.... and that oxide layer is what gives titanium its hypo allergenic
qualities.
Throw in the ASTM standard (the titanium would have to be ELI),
and you have a winner.
A note on latex allergies: its very rare to have someone that is born with
an allergy to latex. Most allergies of these types happen from being
over exposed over a peiriod of time. You may have aquired a latex
allergy from being exposed due to your line of work.
The itching and redness is a sure sign of an allergic reaction to something.
I tend to think the ring is not the culpret here. I would love to hear the
outcome.
Barry~
www.anatometal.com
Brian G.
"Carl 1 Lucky Texan" <alck...@swbell.not> wrote in message
news:kag3cvk0us60gk35n...@4ax.com...
> I mostly second everything said by Peter. The surface of titanium will
> indeed be rutile, the oxide of titanium. But I think a lot of these
> rings are the 6AlV4 alloy (this is 'Krell' metal folks, very tough - for
> those of you fond of classic Sci-Fi movies<g>) not usually CP1
> (commercially pure) and PERHAPS some substance you encountered abraded
> through the oxide layer exposing the raw metal to your skin. This can
> happen with
> ladies makeup and skin cleansers which have some slight abrasive
> properties. It's unlikely the Ti oxide was severely abraded away but
> possible.
>
6Al4V Ti is widely used in medical implant applications. In doing oxide
layer studies they would scratch the surface with a stylus, the result was
that they found was that in ANY oxidizing media the oxide layer would seal
itself immediately. Unless your ring is made from Nitinol I believe Nickel
is a absolute non issue. I would bet $ your allergy ir itchyness was caused
by an irritant trapped under the ring and has nothing to do with the ring
itself.
My $.02
BG
Lyn
news:<t163cvc0o58lqq9r5...@4ax.com>...
<snip>
>
> Peter Rowe
> moderator
> rec.crafts.jewelry
> (and a reasonably experienced jeweler too, after over 30 years of it, so I >kinda
> hope I know what I'm talking about by now...)
Thanks, Peter, for that very informative post. I have some questions:
In order to re-rhodium plate a gold ring (yellow gold with white gold
head) would they need to remove the diamonds? I am very nervous about
having my diamonds removed, if it is necessary to do so, because I'm
afraid that they will switch them with diamonds of lesser value.
Secondly, if I am allergic to the white gold, am I likely to be
allergic to platinum as well? (We have thought of having the diamonds
reset in the same setting, only platinum, as a last resort).
I have had my ring since Dec. 99, and have been fighting this gold
allergy for about 6 months. I'm assuming that the rhodium plating has
worn off, since I have ruled out all other possibilities. The ring is
set with 3 diamonds, "half-chanel bezel" (sp?) settings. (It's
technically a three-diamond anniversary ring.) I'm also afraid that if
they have to remove the diamonds, the setting will be ruined, and we
will be forced to buy a new setting.
If I have it re-rhodium plated, how long wil the plating last? The
real problem I had was exposure to cleaning supplies chemicals while
working as a molecular biologist and then later, as a veterinary
technician. That is no longer an issue. Are there things I can do to
prolong the life of the plating? How do I find a reputable jeweler to
do the rhodium plating?
TIA for the answers to these questions - I have been seeking advice on
this matter, to no avail, for a long time. I'm glad I found your
post. :)
-L.
Peter W. Rowe
(Lyn) wrote:
>>Peter W. Rowe <pwr...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
>>news:<t163cvc0o58lqq9r5...@4ax.com>...
>><snip>
>>>
>>> Peter Rowe
>>> moderator
>>> rec.crafts.jewelry
>>> (and a reasonably experienced jeweler too, after over 30 years of it, so I >kinda
>>> hope I know what I'm talking about by now...)
>>
>>Thanks, Peter, for that very informative post. I have some questions:
>> In order to re-rhodium plate a gold ring (yellow gold with white gold
>>head) would they need to remove the diamonds? I am very nervous about
>>having my diamonds removed, if it is necessary to do so, because I'm
>>afraid that they will switch them with diamonds of lesser value.
You do not need to remove the diamonds. They do not affect the process, nor are
they affected by it. And for the record, although one occasionally hears
horror stories about stone switching, the truth of the matter is that it's VERY
rare indeed. Jewelers depend quite a bit on repeat business, and on earning the
trust of their customers. Throwing all that away for some quick but illegal and
fairly small profit, would be business suicide. It really doesn't happen
hardly at all, and when some jeweler is caught doing this, as often as not it
ends up in the national news... Keep in mind that anyone trying this would have
to substitute stones of close enough quality that there'd be a chance the owner
wouldn't notice the switch. Thus the relatively small potential profit.
>>
>>Secondly, if I am allergic to the white gold, am I likely to be
>>allergic to platinum as well? (We have thought of having the diamonds
>>reset in the same setting, only platinum, as a last resort).
In white gold, you are allergic to the nickel added to the gold alloy which
makes it white instead of yellow. Platinum is a completely seperate metal.
It's one of the most inert, and contains no nickel, so the chances of you're
being allergic to it are exceedingly small. Platinum is so hypoallergenic it
can be used for surgical implants... If you need to finally go this route, at
least you can be quite certain that it will solve the problem.
>>
>>I have had my ring since Dec. 99, and have been fighting this gold
>>allergy for about 6 months. I'm assuming that the rhodium plating has
>>worn off, since I have ruled out all other possibilities. The ring is
>>set with 3 diamonds, "half-chanel bezel" (sp?) settings. (It's
>>technically a three-diamond anniversary ring.) I'm also afraid that if
>>they have to remove the diamonds, the setting will be ruined, and we
>>will be forced to buy a new setting.
>>
Well, almost anything can be repaired again, if it's been messed up in unsetting
stones. But unsetting channel settings does indeed disrupt the metal most of
the time.
>>If I have it re-rhodium plated, how long wil the plating last?
Hard to say. the rhodium plate that jewelers put on can vary a lot in
thickness, and jewelers are not usually equipped to monitor that thickness to
given standards. How much and how you wear it will determine how long it will
last. It might be a month, it might last a couple years. Somewhere between
those two...
>>Are there things I can do to
>>prolong the life of the plating? How do I find a reputable jeweler to
>>do the rhodium plating?
Ask about the jewelers process. Ask if they are using relatively newer rhodium
plating solution, and whether they are electrocleaning the items before plating.
for a good deposit, the items must be chemically/surgiacally clean. Ultrasonics
and steam cleaners loosen large bits of dirt, but electrocleanign will get out
any last vestiages. As to finding a jeweler, look for independant stores with a
good in house workshop, rather than a place that's part of a chain store. And
stay away from shopping malls. Instead, find the local jewelers who've been
around for a while, have a good repuation, and do the work there in that store.
the mall operations seldom have as technically skilled sales or service staff..
>>
>>TIA for the answers to these questions - I have been seeking advice on
>>this matter, to no avail, for a long time. I'm glad I found your
>>post. :)
>>
>>-L.
Your welcome
Peter
Ericka Kammerer
Is the ring a little more snug than it was before? I have
to wear my rings snug because my knuckles aren't bigger than
the part of my fingers where my rings rest. Thus, air doesn't
circulate underneath the rings. I do get symptoms like you
describe under my rings if I wear my rings continuously. I take
them off at night and take them off to wash and dry my hands,
and then it's fine. I really think it has *nothing* to do with
any sort of allergy and has simply to do with not enough air
circulation under the ring (at least in my case).
Best wishes,
Ericka
Abrasha
>
> "Carl 1 Lucky Texan" wrote:
>
> > ladies makeup and skin cleansers which have some slight abrasive
> > properties. It's unlikely the Ti oxide was severely abraded away but
> > possible.
> >
>
> Even if you were to remove the oxide layer it would come right back.
> -This is assuming the ring is made from 6AL4V. The oxide layer grows
> instantly in the presence of oxygen. Scratch your ring and that oxide
> layer is coming right back as you are forming the scratch.
>
> 6 parts aluminum
> 4 parts vanadium
> 90 parts pure titanium
>
Actually to chemical composition of 6Al4V is typically more like this:
C 0.08%
Fe 0.05%
N 0.05%
Al 5.5/6.75%
O 0.20%
V 3.5/4.5%
H 0.015% sheet,
0.0125% bar
0.0100% billet
Ti Balance
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com
Paul Shinn
: Paul Shinn wrote:
:>
:> my titanium wedding band continuously for almost 2 years. Only last week
:> did I notice my ring finger getting itchy and red/raised underneath my
:> ring. I switched it my other hand. I work in a lab and routinely wear
:
: Definitly wait a week or so to see what happens to the 'new'
Well, I'm happy to report (hopefully not prematurely) that my ring finger
no longer itches and the skin is back to its normal level. It's just a little
dry there and looks tanner than the rest of my finger--like a ring tattoo.
My "test" hand hasn't broken out. The ring will stay there, however, until
my ring finger is completely back to normal. From the cumulative input of
the group, it seems the ring needed a good cleaning. The inside of the ring
is engraved and some allergen could have been laying in wait for the right
moment. Sneaky allergens!
Thanks everyone,
Paul
Greig Thin-Smith
the chasms of the matt finish inside the ring.
there are 2 ways around this ie get a jeweller to high polish the inside of the
ring.
or 2 clean thoroughly by boiling for 10 mins in water allowing to cool dry it
off and then paint the inside with clear nail varnish to provide a surface
sealant or barrier between metal and skin.
1st method is by far the best, if this does not work i sugest an allergy test
because you just might be a strange one, remember anything claimed to be 100%
non allergenic means no one to date has had a reaction to it, there are always
firsts.
Cheers Greig
Ned Flanders
What you have is just a slight infection of the outer layer of skin.
For some their finger need time to become accustomed to rings. You
put a glove on, the sweat gets trapped under your ring and bacteria
starts to irritate the layers of skin. At first, you not being
accustomed to a ring may have removed it often to see the skin appear
white and puffy with lines. Later, as you wore it more often, it will
turn red, itch, and layers of skin will flake off mainly in the center
of the inflammation. Now it will on it's own with continuous wear,
heal. A little antibiotic cream will help this. However, until your
finger is seasoned and accustomed to the ring, it may revert back to
thin skin that will have to go through the entire process again if you
take the ring off for long periods of time--weeks/months. Also, the
difference between the size of your fingers on the opposite hand may
prevent this from occurring on that hand. More air or less movement
that starts the initial irritation.
Cheers,
Ned
Barry
"Abrasha" wrote:
> Actually to chemical composition of 6Al4V is typically more like this:
>
>
> C 0.08%
> Fe 0.05%
> N 0.05%
> Al 5.5/6.75%
> O 0.20%
> V 3.5/4.5%
> H 0.015% sheet,
> 0.0125% bar
> 0.0100% billet
> Ti Balance
>
> Abrasha
> http://www.abrasha.com
The grade I am talking about (ASTM F136)(6AL4V ELI):
T Balance
AL 5.5-6.5
V 3.5-4.5
Fe 0-.30
H 0-.015
N 0-.05
O 0-.20
C 0-.10
Being as we are including trace matierials here.
Barry~
www.anatometal.com
Don Thompson
>
> Well, I'm happy to report (hopefully not prematurely) that my ring
finger
> no longer itches and the skin is back to its normal level. It's just a
little
> dry there and looks tanner than the rest of my finger--like a ring tattoo.
If the finger looks "tanner" under the ring that is direct evidence of
chemical irritant. Not usually associated with metal allergy. My guess is
that although you use normal precautions to avoid contamination from your
work you have handled some object which was, in fact, contaminated without
your knowledge.
--
Don Thompson
Ex ROMAD
Lara
Don Thompson <flas...@ix.netcom.comghost> wrote:
> If the finger looks "tanner" under the ring that is direct evidence of
> chemical irritant. Not usually associated with metal allergy.
Or it could be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can happen
with any prolonged inflammation, including metal allergy.
Lara
David Winters
Any truth to the rumor I've heard, that the emergency ring-cutting
equipment used by EMTs/Paramedics/ERs can't cut Ti rings?
If yes, is there any truth to the attached rumor, that people have lost
fingers because their rings couldn't be cut off?
D.
Baseball
while you have a chance.
Use your spare money to tip strippers.
You'll be happier.
John Christensen
My wife had a problem with fungus under her ring. She worked with icing
cakes, and it was like a culture dish between her finger and the ring. I
designed a more open style, to let the air circulate, and it solved the
problem. If it's too tight it might do the same thing.
It does sound like you narrowed down the cause. If it's engraved, the
edges of the engraving could be scoring your skin & causing irritation
as well. I would have the inside polished to smooth the edges of that
engraving. along with keeping it clean, you should be OK.
I had to leave bench work after 18 years at it, due to a gold allergy.
(The rare cases Peter was talking about ;) I can still wear gold, but if
the filings cut through or into the skin, it will react.
http://www.goldart.net/allergy.htm These are the pictures from when I
was working at the bench about 4 years ago. If any of you bench persons
have a similar look to your digits, see a dermatologist to narrow the
cause down. Mine was a gold crown in my mouth, that has since been
replaced with Palladium/silver.
JC
--
John Christensen http://www.home.earthlink.net/~johncgg/
bbrr
I don't know anything about titanium allergies,
but a person close to me is highly allergic to
nickel, a fairly common allergy. is there any
chance your ring has nickel plating or is a
nickel alloy? if so, perhaps you have a nickel
allergy and a pure titanium ring would solve
the problem.
or, an old trick (to keep copper jewelry from
turning the skin green). buy some clear nail
polish. paint the parts that touch the skin.