Nickel, one of the most universally used metals, has an important role in the jewelry business. Unfortunately, nickel is also one of the most allergenic metals, which can lead to a variety of problems.

Where can you find nickel?

You can find nickel in almost every aspect of your life; from money, to mobile phones, watches, jewelry, and even in clothes and common household appliances.

How can nickel cause allergic reactions?

Nickel in alloys are often weakly embedded, so they can be easily solved out. Free nickel atoms can react with the perspiration on the skin, forming nickel-salts. These nickel-salts penetrate the skin, getting into the bloodstream causing allergies and inflammation. This process is extremely rapid in cases where the surface of the skin is irritated or thin, as is common around injuries or pierced skin. So if you have symptoms such as skin redness after wearing jeans, facial inflammation after using a telephone, or inflamed earlobes when wearing earrings, you probably have a nickel allergy.

Why avoid nickel?

Each time we come in contact with nickel, free nickel atoms can penetrate our skin and enter our bloodstream. If there is too much nickel in the body, nickel sensitization can appear. Therefore, even if you are not yet allergic to nickel, it's advisable to avoid coming in contact with it because a nickel allergy can occur at any age, and there is no universal cure. While the allergy may eventually disappear if nickel is avoided for several years, for many people it’s a life-long infliction.

Nickel can penetrate the body most easily while wearing earrings, due to the fact that the metal is exposed to pierced skin for a relatively prolonged period of time. That's why nickel sensitization occurs more commonly with earrings usage than with any other form of contact. Consequently, although you currently might not have problems with nickel, it's worth wearing nickel-free earwires.

Nickel-free earwires

Our earwires are made of 100 % nickel-free metal, called niobium. They're absolutely safe, and recommended for all those who are interested in maintaining healthy earlobes.