I have a customer who along with his wife have both developed rashes
only on their fingers where their platinum rings are. I know that
soap or chemicals can cause this, any other possibilities? They have
had their rings since 2002, just started having rashes in the last
few months. Rings were purchased at Bailey Banks and Bittle.
Richard Hart G.G.
Jewelers Gallery
Denver, Co.
richard - perhaps an experiment is in order? how about wearing rings
from different metals to determine if it is a metal allergy or
environmental situation stainless? titanium? how about giving her
lets say fine silver and him palladium and see what happens ? but
first perhaps they should all ow the dermatis to clear up so they can
start fresh (just my attempt at how to gather ) any
conclusions drawn would be up to the interperetor - goo
Hello Richard.
I have had several clients with this “rash” over the years. I have
come to the conclusion that this rash is a fungal infection of some
sort and not a reaction to the metal. I have had doctors and
chemists say that it cannot be, but I have never had a comeback on
the suggested treatment. First, clean the ring properly, especially
under any stones till it’s like new. Then, get them to apply an
anit-fungal ointment to the area till at least two weeks AFTER the
rash has gone. Only then should they start wearing the ring again. If
they wear the ring before the rash has gone, they will only re-infect
it again. The ring must be clean and the rash must be gone…As I
said, I’m not a doctor, but this treatment has never failed me… I
would be interested to hear other opinions on this topic…
Gwen
Richard,
First of all I would check that the rings are really platinum and
not plated white gold. Assuming that they really are platinum, I
always encourage people to think about what new chemicals, skin
products, etc. they are now using. However, metal allergies do
develop later in life sometimes. It is just weird that both of them
would get it at the same time. Based on that I would say it is one of
my first two options—the rings weren’t what they were represented
as and had a really thick plating or they are using something that is
getting under the rings and irritating them.
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
I have come to the conclusion that this rash is a fungal infection of some sort and not a reaction to the metal.
People do have allergic reactions to the aloys in their jewelry.
I have a customer who along with his wife have both developed rashes
only on their fingers where their platinum rings are. I know that
soap or chemicals can cause this, any other possibilities? They have
had their rings since 2002, just started having rashes in the last
few months.
Richard - Metal allergies can occur at any age and after years of no
problems. I developed metal allergies a few years ago and now can’t
wear any of my rings (18K and platinum) without developing a rash
after a single day. I used to wear a ring on each finger almost 24/7.
I also can’t wear post-style earrings any more, although wires still
seem to be OK. It is entirely possible that they have developed
allergies to the metal.
Sandra Graves, Isis Rising & Stormcloud Trading (Beadstorm)
People do have allergic reactions to the aloys in their jewelry.
Yes but the number that are allergic to platinum is vanishingly
small and to have husband and wife both have that reaction would be
astronomical odds.
James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts
Is the ring a wide band, or have spots that are wide? One thing that
I have seen a few times is what appears to be a rash on a finger from
a ring that has nothing to do with the metal. Simply that it was a
wide band and the customers finger was never dried properly under the
ring after washing hands, showering, etc. I was told that this can
lead to a fungal infection but the root is basically the same concept
of immersion foot/trench foot. If the ring is narrow this becomes
more unlikely, however when people come in with wide bands and only
recently have an issue like this my first advice is to make sure they
are getting their fingers dry under the ring.
Richard the most likely problem is fungal or possibly a chemical
dermatitis from some product both are using. Allergies to platinum
are virtually unknown. Only a dermatologist or allergist can do a
determination of metal allergies with sensitization tests. Without
such tests the cause is pure speculation.
James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts
To my mind, the fact that the couple developed a rash at exactly the
same time, after years of trouble-free wear, suggests some sort of
contamination, whether biological such as fungal or bacterial (or
could it even be parasitic?) or chemical such as lotions, washing
liquids or powders, etc. Gwen’s suggestion of thoroughly cleaning
the rings and leaving them off for over two weeks, while treating the
rash sounds like a very sensible regime.
However, Daniel could equally be correct in that the rings could be
plated gold rather than being platinum, but although the couple have
worn the rings for the same amount of time, I would expect two
different people to cause wear on their rings at different rates -
some people being heavier on their jewellery than others - rather
than exposing the possible white gold at exactly the same time.
Helen
UK
I’ve had patients, err, clients who developed this after taking
prescription steroids. Changes in their water might also have an
effect. Its also possible that the rings have shrunk 
over time
and now there’s no air circulation.
It is entirely possible that they have developed allergies to the metal.
At exactly the same time as each other? Highly unlikely. It speaks of
some sort of contamination - bacterial, fungal, chemical, etc.
Helen
UK
Perhaps they’v developed an allergic reaction to marrige and
eachother over time…this would explain the wedding band rash.
Richard,
are virtually unknown. Only a dermatologist or allergist can do a determination of metal allergies with sensitization tests. Without such tests the cause is pure speculation.
I’m with James and Neil on this one. Any given case of dermatitis
can have about 300 different causes. That both are affected
simultaneously and recently suggests a new environmental or seasonal
factor (extreme cold weather can exacerbate some derma reactions).
Neil is correct that using a topical or systemic steroid
(corticosteroid) can cause a “rebloom” effect when the drug is
stopped.
Only an MD should speculate about the specific cause.
Lorraine
Any given case of dermatitis can have about 300 different causes.
Haven’t replied because of the above statement, and I’m not a
doctor. The most common cause of this that I’ve always heard of is
soap. People wash their hands with soap, and don’t rinse under the
ring. It’s especially so if the ring is hollow underneath. That
doesn’t mean that IS the answer, though.
This thing doesn’t seem able to be put to rest. According to
Richard’s original posting BOTH the husband and wife were
experiencing the same reaction at approximately the same time (years
after they purchased the rings). I’m going to make a few really
definitive statements here. 1) The odds of both people developing an
allergy at the exact same time are astronomical. 2) The odds that
they have changed some cream, cleaning agent, etc. is far better but
men and women don’t often use the same creams and often only one of
a couple are in charge of cleaning agents that might impact them. 3)
The odds of both of them not washing properly under their rings in
such a manner that both would develop the same rash is also pretty
low. So in my book there are two things that could be going on. One
is that they do have some form of contagious fungal issue (I’m not a
doctor so I have no clue if fungal issues are contagious). Or as I
stated the first time I posted, and IMHO the most likely explanation
is the rings are mismarked. They are nickel white gold with a very
heavy rhodium plating that finally wore off and both of the people
have an allergy to nickel, something that is fairly common. The
first step would be to test the rings.
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
They are nickel white gold with a very heavy rhodium plating that finally wore off and both of the people have an allergy to nickel something that is fairly common."
Update on this is that the husband came back with his ring and it is
stamped plat and the back of the shank is distorted as a platinum
ring might bend as the metal is soft and the back of the shank is
thin. At this point the rings are going to get a thorough cleaning
and the couple are going to try using an antifungal for two weeks.
The rings have a significant amount of space under the top of the
ring for moisture to collect. However they have had the rings since
2002 and this problem started only several months ago. They have
moved to different houses 3 times since purchasing the rings.
I knew that it was unlikely that it was an allergic reaction by two
people at the same time to the metal. I knew that it might be caused
by soap or cream they were both using. I did not know about fungal
infection as a cause. Thanks to everyone for input, I will update
when I know more.
Richard Hart G.G.
Jewelers Gallery
Denver, Co.
I think fungal infections can be contagious, ie tiniaect. My
personnel experience with fungal infections under my watch is not the
watch or the metal in the watch but with me and my medications I
take plus as we age I am pretty sure we don’t heal as fast and the
fungal infections take longer to heal also.
I think people in general look to blame something rather than look
to themselves first, I knew my problem wasn’t the watch as I had worn
it for years in the past with no problems the only thing that had
changed with me was I now take medications and am older ect.
My mother is a hypochondriac and is always looking to blame all and
sundry on what goes in her mouth or in the air she breathes and she
is the fittest 74 yr old I know and she is on no medications what so
ever.
In saying all this I know people do have allergies to certain things
but I think today’s society are a bit paranoid about everything and
they can get obsessive with thinking every little thing is an
allergic reaction.
Christine in the Ridge
I think fungal infections can be contagious, ie tiniaect.
Yes, fungal infections can be contagious. Candida is a fungus/yeast
that lives on the skin of many people, but certain changes in
conditions, such as a decrease in the bacteria that keep them at
bay, can cause an attack of Candida (also known as thrush). If one
partner in a couple has thrush, the other partner can catch it. Also
a mother can pass it onto her baby during childbirth.
I think (and I stress THINK) that all pathogens (whether they be
fungal, bacterial, viral, etc) are contagious if a sufferer comes
into contact with another person - obviously some require specific
types of contact to transfer.
Helen
UK