From One Nickel Allergy Sufferer to Another – Use Nickel Solution!
My battles with nickel allergy rashes started in my early teens, with my first ear piercing. Almost immediately, I noticed itching and burning, but I discounted those symptoms until small blisters formed. After removing the earrings and allowing my ears to heal, I avoided piercing again for quite a few years. However, in the interim I became sensitive to the metal in my watch and sunglasses. Once again, intense itching and a red rash were the symptoms. Nickel allergy was becoming a little better understood at this point in time, so I educated myself and tried to avoid any jewelry with nickel, opting for leather watch bands with 14K gold cases and clasps (not easy on a young professionals budget!) and plastic sunglasses. It was much later than I discovered a much simpler solution – Nickel Solution!
Nickel Solution is a two-part kit that allows the user to first test metals to see if there is nickel in the metal and then to brush on a protective barrier to protect the skin from that nickel. Nickel Alert is the testing part; it is a dmg spot test for nickel. It is formulated by Athena Allergy, Inc. to be a highly accurate and uncomplicated at-home test.
While it is so helpful to be able to determine if an item has nickel before I wear it, my favorite of the two-part kit is probably Nickel Guard! I use this lacquer a lot! I love fun costume jewelry and oftentimes it does contain nickel. Brushing Nickel Guard on the wires, posts, or backs of earrings solves that problem easily! I use a bit of wax paper underneath the jewelry as it dries, just in case I get a little overzealous in my application. For me, Nickel Guard provides a lengthy protection period. It likely depends on the use of the jewelry item and possibly on the severity of the nickel allergy.
Luckily, Athena Allergy is also making my love for bright and fun jewelry a no-brainer. They are now offering gorgeous dichroic glass nickel free earrings that are amazing to wear. The sparkle and glitter of this jewelry is astounding! Even better, I don’t have to test this jewelry because Athena Allergy has already done it for me! No more painting lacquer either, these pieces are guaranteed for life to never test positive for nickel, so no more worries and definitely no more rash!
Trust me, you are going to be so glad you heeded this advice! Buy Nickel Solution (and maybe a great new pair of earrings) today!