Could there be an allergy to silver? This is a fairly common question. We will understand in this article.
Silver is part of noble metals. Already in antiquity, jewels, coins were cast from it, expensive dishes were made. It is claimed that this metal has antibacterial properties and can be used to purify water.
Opt for silver
Many people prefer silver jewelry because of their rigor and greater accessibility compared to gold products. However, a lower price does not negate the noble origin and sophistication of these jewelry. More recently, everyone believed that allergic reactions could not occur upon contact with silver products. But this opinion is still refuted by a large number of people's complaints about redness of the skin and the occurrence of itching when wearing jewelry made of this metal. This is how silver allergy manifests itself.
Why does an allergy appear?
The reaction to silver in its pure form is, in principle, a very rare occurrence, since this metal has extremely low allergenic characteristics. They are mainly due to nickel found in silver jewelry. It is added in order to enhance the strength of the jewelry and the shine, since silver itself is too soft.
People with poor health or reduced immunity perceive any foreign stimulus (in this case, nickel) as an element that harms the body. In this case, active production of histamine in the blood occurs, which causes a deterioration in the patient's well-being. Sensitization to silver jewelry is not always immediately apparent. Sometimes it may take several years before the reactions make themselves felt. This allergic form manifests itself in the form of contact dermatitis that occurs when the skin interacts with nickel during its gradual washing out of a silver product. In addition, an allergy to silver can be caused by other impurities, for example, aluminum, zinc, lead, copper.
Features of the reaction of the body
Sensitization in direct contact with silver jewelry develops as a result of the erroneous reaction of the human body to foreign elements - silver or other components contained in it. In this case, a failure occurs in the activity of the immune system, and instead of protecting it from bacteria, infections and viruses, it perceives the substance, which is completely harmless in other cases, as a stranger and begins to attack it. Many people wonder if there is an allergy to silver.
The scenario for the development of the reaction is as follows: metal ions, in contact with the skin, bypass the epidermis and enter the blood, changing its composition chemically. In this case, the body perceives a certain number of proteins of its cells as foreign agents and produces the response production of specific antibodies.
Modern science has not yet studied all the subtleties of chemical processes that occur. There is only the assumption that they are laid in humans at the genetic level. Even if such a case of response is a single, the immune system will continue to perceive silver jewelry as a potential source of danger. Sensitization to both silver and other metals contained in the jewelry can be felt in case of intolerance to certain chemicals by the patient, and contact with them causes allergic skin reactions that are local in nature.
What causes an allergy to silver? Let's figure it out.
Does the quality of jewelry affect?
Cases of people getting irritations on the skin when they wear silver products have recently become more frequent. This is due to the fact that modern jewelry is of inadequate quality. To reduce the cost of the product, manufacturers mix silver with other alloys that provoke a reaction. This kind of pseudo-silver jewelry is made of lead, zinc or aluminum, which is coated with a silver coating.
How to distinguish a fake?
To understand whether the fake is in front of you or the real product, you can use the following methods: if you hold white chalk on it or cover it with sulfur ointment, real silver will darken. If you put iodine on the jewelry and it turns blue, then it is made of zinc. The product, which is made of real silver, has a clearly established test in two places, mainly nine hundred twenty-fifth. The causes of allergies to silver can be very diverse.
Other rash factors
The list of reasons that can cause sensitization to silver is supplemented by another factor: the fact is that itching and rash can be caused by contamination of the silver product. At the same time, an accumulation of dangerous chemical elements occurs on its surface, which cause allergic reactions if the skin has a high susceptibility.
In this case, the solution to the problem is quite simple - you just need to clean the silver product. If the decoration has a complex relief, it is best to contact jewelers. If the product is simple, it can be cleaned at home - with tooth powder, ammonia or soda, and then polish the surface with a soft dry cloth. This will help eliminate unnecessary substances and give the jewelry its original shine and color. Cleaned items are worn only after the symptoms of irritation disappear. Only in this case it will be possible to evaluate with all objectivity whether it was really caused by pollution.
Signs of a Silver Allergy
If there is a suspicion of sensitivity to silver, then its symptoms are found in those places where the jewelry is adjacent to the body, that is, on the fingers, wrists and hands, on the earlobes and in the decollete, in the navel (and if there is a piercing) and on the ankles (if bracelets are worn on the leg).
Signs of an allergy when interacting with its source can occur immediately, and during the day, and sometimes even after a longer period. This is directly related to individual sensitivity. Symptoms of silver allergy are given below.
Most often, the following manifestations are observed:
- unbearable burning and itching;
- redness of the skin at the site of interaction with the decoration;
- skin inflammation and edema;
- rash (can be either small, barely palpable when touching the skin, or large;
- temperature rise;
- the appearance of small bubbles or large blisters containing liquid.
A silver allergy is possible in a child.
Skin modifications
The skin becomes sticky and wet, and then peels off. If the skin is deeply damaged, then scars, cracks and ulcers may appear. In most cases, these characteristics appear gradually, replacing each other, however, they can also appear almost at one time if the patient has an acute form. If the development is rapid, then anaphylactic shock and swelling of the larynx are possible. However, this option, fortunately, is extremely rare, and allergy reactions to silver jewelry are limited to the contact dermatitis symptoms listed above.
But nevertheless, mandatory therapy is required, since they cause both physical and moral inconvenience, the patient feels discomfort, and combing the blisters can provoke a bacterial infection into a more serious infection.
Acceptable Treatment
If the causes of allergy have been established, then first you must exclude the possibility of direct interaction with the allergen. The patient will have to stop wearing silver jewelry and jewelry. If the reaction appeared due to the presence of nickel, which is an integral part of the products, then all contacts with it must also be eliminated. It is worth noting that nickel can be found in a wide variety of alloys, for example, in studs, buttons, hairpins, etc.
After eliminating contact with the allergen, you can start symptomatic therapy to speed up the healing process. Treatment can last from several days to several weeks. This is determined by the specifics of the body of a sick person, as well as by the degree to which allergy symptoms manifest. Effective "Tagansorbent" with silver ions from allergies. It boosts the immune tone. Absorbs harmful substances, toxins, allergens.
Preparations
Most often, topical preparations are prescribed that contribute to the disinfection and softening of the skin, eliminate inflammatory processes and itching. Effective drugs included: Solcoseryl, Gistan, Desitin, Vundekhil. If eczema develops that do not heal for a long time, the doctor may prescribe a short course of hormonal ointments, for example, Advantan, Prednisolone, Elokom. In the case of a systemic nature of allergic manifestations, you will need to take antihistamine-type drugs: Zirtek, Erius, Tsetrin, Claritin.