spontaneous platinum allergy??

[karasue91]

I got engaged last April and wore my platinum eternity band engagement ring for 7 months with no problems at all. But for some reason, one day I got an itchy, bumpy rash on my ring finger. I thought maybe there was something stuck in the ring that I was reacting to, so I took it to a jeweler and had it cleaned. I let my finger heal and wore my ring on my right hand in the meantime.

I put my ring back on and after only a few hours I had a red, itchy rash again!! But the weird thing is, I don''t get the rash on my right ring finger. I don''t know what is going on, does anyone have any ideas?? I have let my left finger heal several times and every time I think it''s safe, the rash comes back.

I don''t want to buy the platinum wedding band if I''m allergic to it! And I want to be able to wear my engagement ring, dammit!! I''m so baffled and frusterated!

 

[Circe]

It sounds like you might have a skin infection on that finger: way before I got my engagement ring, I had the same problem with a platinum ring I wore 24/7. I finally asked a dermatologist, and he prescribed an ointment that cleared it up in 2 weeks (and recommended that I make a point of cleaning my rings scrupulously/occasionally taking them off). No problems since ... insofar as I''m aware, platinum allergies are rare to the point of being nonexistant. Double-check with a dermatologist, but in the meantime, maybe try an over-the-counter antibiotic cream, and see if it helps.

 

[karasue91]

Thanks Circe! My roommate has some Elidel that I''ve been putting on it, I''ll just keep using that and give it 2 weeks before I put my ring back on. Maybe I''ve been putting the ring on too quickly after I think my finger is healed.

 

[lyra]

You should see a dermatologist to find out for sure. Platinum allergies are rare. How often do you clean your ring? I saw that it is an eternity style. Sometimes settings like that (I have a couple) trap dirt and gunk, and then when you get your finger wet, it starts to irritate your skin. Just an idea. People with sensitive skin (like me) need to clean their rings often and dry them thoroughly. Try not to get water stuck under the ring. Is it sized properly, not too small or too big? Good luck!

 

[karasue91]

Date: 12/8/2007 10:16:51 PM
Author: lyra
You should see a dermatologist to find out for sure. Platinum allergies are rare. How often do you clean your ring? I saw that it is an eternity style. Sometimes settings like that (I have a couple) trap dirt and gunk, and then when you get your finger wet, it starts to irritate your skin. Just an idea. People with sensitive skin (like me) need to clean their rings often and dry them thoroughly. Try not to get water stuck under the ring. Is it sized properly, not too small or too big? Good luck!

I think that''s exactly what happened, it does look pretty gunky, but I thought taking it to a jeweler and having them steam clean it was best? I don''t have one of those jewelry cleaning solution things at home, should I buy one? Does that get all the crap out from all the little holes and crevices in my ring?

The ring is slightly big, it slides up and down on my finger below the knuckle, but it won''t go over my knuckle without a little force. I had FI order it 1/4 size bigger because I had visions of getting pregnant, swelling up, not losing the weight after the baby was born, and never being able to wear my ring again...hahaha paranoid I know but I loved the eternity style and they obviously can''t be resized...would that irritate my finger though? I stopped sleeping with it on, and that has helped some.

My problem is that I am moving from the US to Canada in less than 2 weeks, and I''m not sure if I could get a dermatologist appointment in time. I''ll give it a try on Monday though.

Thannks!!

 

[lyra]

Date: 12/9/2007 10:12:00 AM
Author: karasue91

Date: 12/8/2007 10:16:51 PM
Author: lyra
You should see a dermatologist to find out for sure. Platinum allergies are rare. How often do you clean your ring? I saw that it is an eternity style. Sometimes settings like that (I have a couple) trap dirt and gunk, and then when you get your finger wet, it starts to irritate your skin. Just an idea. People with sensitive skin (like me) need to clean their rings often and dry them thoroughly. Try not to get water stuck under the ring. Is it sized properly, not too small or too big? Good luck!

I think that''s exactly what happened, it does look pretty gunky, but I thought taking it to a jeweler and having them steam clean it was best? I don''t have one of those jewelry cleaning solution things at home, should I buy one? Does that get all the crap out from all the little holes and crevices in my ring?

The ring is slightly big, it slides up and down on my finger below the knuckle, but it won''t go over my knuckle without a little force. I had FI order it 1/4 size bigger because I had visions of getting pregnant, swelling up, not losing the weight after the baby was born, and never being able to wear my ring again...hahaha paranoid I know but I loved the eternity style and they obviously can''t be resized...would that irritate my finger though? I stopped sleeping with it on, and that has helped some.

My problem is that I am moving from the US to Canada in less than 2 weeks, and I''m not sure if I could get a dermatologist appointment in time. I''ll give it a try on Monday though.

Thannks!!

I''m in Canada.

You can wait to see a dermatologist. It will be free here, but you''ll have to wait for a consult maybe.

It really just sounds like you need to clean your ring more often. I have an ultrasonic cleaner which I use every week. In between, well, daily, I just use a liquid jewellery solution (Connoisseurs) that is available anywhere and comes with a little brush. The sizing of the ring sounds appropriate. I thought if it was too small that would give you more problems.

 

[sumbride]

One of my friends got a fungal infection under her eternity ring because she would get soap and water stuck under it when she washed her hands. She had to use an anti-fungal cream and take her ring off and dry it thoroughly when she washed her hands. Eventually the bumpy itchy rash went away. A dermatoligist would be a good idea but if you have any antifungal cream around, it probably wouldn''t hurt to try it.