Can you be allergic to silicone rings?
After a few days of wearing your traditional wedding ring or engagement ring, your skin came out in an itchy rash. It is irritating, uncomfortable and you can not help but notice a burning sensation on your ring finger, accompanied by some swelling. This makes you worry whether you are allergic to your precious wedding band. At this point, you may even be asking yourself if it is even possible to develop such symptoms from a minuscule metal ring? The answer to this burning question, well rather the itching question is a yes. Metal allergies are very common and the number of people allergic to traditional metal rings is on the rise.
A study conducted by pupils from the University of Surrey discovered that as of 2019, a growing number of people are allergic to metals including nickel, steel, titanium, and zirconium, which are used in most modern rings. As a result, traditional wedding rings and bands are not hypoallergenic in general. Individuals who are sensitive to metal rings may have skin irritation that is unabated by anything other than ceasing use. Furthermore, wedding ring rashes, often known as wedding ring dermatitis, are an allergic reaction that can affect both men and women of all ages.
Symptoms of a metal ring allergy
Allergy symptoms from metal exposure often occur 24 hours (up to 36 hours) after exposure, according to the National Institute of Health. Uncontrollable Itching, redness, soreness, significant swelling, and warmth to the exposed surface are some of the symptoms. Noticeable dry patches, excruciating blisters, and long-lasting lesions may develop in more severe instances.
It is key to note that while silicone allergies are uncommon, they do occur. This is certainly relevant if the ring's silicone is not certified as medical-grade or of poor quality. A study conducted by Reading University medical students in 2019, discovered that less than 1 out of 10 people are allergic to silicone. This further proves how uncommon it is to be allergic to silicone products.
Allergies to silicone are frequently allergic responses to other compounds or impurities utilized in silicone manufacturing, rather than the actual silicone. As a result, purer silicone is typically deemed to be hypoallergenic.
Here is a recap. Silicone is essentially a polymer, which is otherwise a large molecule built up of many repeated components. These polymers are made from silica (silicon). In a chain that is commonly connected with carbon and hydrogen, silicon and oxygen atoms interchange. Silicone is a synthetic polymer with the visco-elasticity property, meaning it is viscous and flexible simultaneously. Silicone rubber is used in a variety of industries due to its multiple beneficial properties.
Differentiating latex from silicone
It is crucial to understand that silicone rubber and the synthetic elements utilized to synthesize latex rubber are completely different. Tappers peel away the bark of the rubber tree, enabling a chalky white fluid to ooze from the tree's ducts. This chalky white fluid is known as latex rubber. Latex is found in around 20,000 plant species belonging to approximately 40 kingdoms of Plantae; thus, accounting for around 14 percent of tropical species of plants and nearly 10% of all flowering plants.
With that being said, certain people are allergic to latex rubber, however, silicone rubber is made from a wholly distinct material known as silica sand. Silica sand is not derived from any kingdom of Plantae, but rather is a unique type of sand, primarily found on the Earth’s crust. If you are inherently allergic to latex, it does not indicate you will be allergic to silicone rubber as well.
Symptoms of a silicone allergy
If you have a silicone allergy, you will most likely suffer symptoms like the ones listed below after physically interacting with silicone:
- Bumpy, itchy, and swollen skin.
- - Infections of the eyes. When allergens reach the bloodstream, symptoms such as watery, reddish, or itchy eyes might result.
- - Hands, legs, or other body parts swell.
- - The airways and throat swell.
- - Asthma that is quite severe.
- - Nausea
Anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening emergency, can result from repeated exposure to non-medical grade silicone. Although the above list is frightening, it's important to remember that most people with a silicone allergy will only have minor symptoms, which are known as contact-based allergic responses; these are less than 1 out of 10 people. Contact allergies occur when the skin reacts to a substance, in this context a silicone product, after physically interacting with it.
As a result, you may notice that some of the symptoms described previously eventuate in the region of your body where the silicone came into physical contact with you, you may observe your skin turning a noticeably red color or a raised rash. Itching and swelling are both frequent responses, so you may encounter both simultaneously. In the instance of wearing a poor quality silicone ring, these symptoms will present themselves on the wearer’s finger, causing it to swell, itch and turn a reddish color (pertinent to those who are only susceptible to contracting a silicone reaction).
If you discover you have a silicone allergy, it's critical to steer clear of all silicone products. Well at least try. The issue is that silicone is now ingrained in our daily lives as a popular material for the manufacture of a variety of useful items. Silicone products are found in a majority of household products and kitchen utensils. Did you know that food-grade silicone is used in dishwasher-safe muffin trays and other nonstick cookware, as well as pot handles, oven mitts, silverware including forks and spoons, freezers, fridges, and oven extrusions?
From the silicone adhesive sealant surrounding your bathtub to its use in the power generation process, silicone is everywhere. Medical-grade silicone is also used in a variety of medical applications as well as personal care products (makeup sponges,
shampoos, soaps, contact lenses). These are just a few products containing silicone, the list goes on and on.
Types of silicone
Medical grade silicone
This sort of silicone is typically entirely free of allergies, and it is mostly employed in the medical field because it has been proven to be the safest type of silicone known to man. Medical-grade silicone is used in goods such as catheters, face implants, and infant bottle nipples, to name a few. Not to mention, at AO Originals, medical-grade silicone is only used when crafting our durable silicone rings.
Industrial silicone
This form of silicone may be located in a range of products, including gadgets and home items. The issue is that this type of silicone is not as purified in comparison to medical-grade silicone. Furthermore, industrial silicone does not go through enough testing; thus, making it more prone to trigger allergies owing to impurities that may be prevalent.
How to test for a silicone allergy
Your doctor will request testing to validate your suspicions if you believe you have a silicone allergy. A skin patch test is a typical way to determine if you have a silicone allergy. This test is conducted by revealing a tiny patch of skin to the allergen, which is diluted and pure silicon in this case. You will be advised to wait for evaluation during the test so that physicians can see what symptoms, whether any, emerge.
If the patch test reveals that you are hypersensitive to silicone, your doctor would likely advise you to avoid all silicone items. Since it is incredibly difficult to avoid all silicone products, you may be prescribed medicine to assist alleviate symptoms, such as hydrocortisone creams or oral antihistamines, primarily if your symptoms are serious or interfere with your everyday life.
Experiencing a silicone reaction?
Many of the symptoms may be minor and may fade away once your skin is no longer exposed to silicone. Remove your silicone ring off your finger if you encounter inflammation, redness, or irritation in the vicinity of your silicone ring. If your ring has lately been subjected to chemicals or even pollutants, you can cleanse it with warm water and mild soap. Alternatively, you can boil your silicone ring on a stovetop for approximately 15 minutes to sanitize it. Fear not, your ring will not disintegrate or discolor.
To test if an allergic reaction was caused by anything other than your silicone ring, try wearing it on again. On average, It might take anywhere from 12 hours to three days for a skin allergy to subside. However, even if you are being treated for an allergic response, it might take several weeks for all of your symptoms to dissipate entirely.
Aside from the study undertaken by students at Reading University (described previously), silicone allergies are so uncommon that figures on the number of people that suffer from this sort of allergic response are hard to come by. In essence, medical-grade silicone is known to be the purified and the cream of the silicone crop. Hence, making it tremendously safe, hypoallergenic, and exceptionally durable. It is for this reason that we only use medical-grade silicone to craft our beloved rings.
Why AO Originals transitioned from metal to silicone rings
As a company that is truly passionate about all things jewelry, we were truly dismayed and disheartened at the return of our customers experiencing rather prominent allergic reactions from the wear of our high-quality gold plated and silver rings. At this point, we were motivated and compelled to create an accessory for everyone to enjoy, even those individuals with metal allergies. Yes, even though silicone allergies do exist (as mentioned above) it is so uncommon and unheard of that cohesive studies can not be conducted pertaining to silicone allergies and their implications.
Hospitals employ only pure silicone for crucial procedures and vital purposes; thus, labeling it as ‘medical-grade silicone’. At AO Originals’, we use this very kind of
silicone to craft all our collection of silicone rings. Henceforth, rest assured that our silicone rings will not only fit your finger like a glove but you will not develop any swelling, rashes or redness due to an allergic reaction. There goes a saying that states: “Since hospitals use it, surely it is safe.” This phrase could not hold any more truth.
Even if you are pushing yourself at the gym with a hefty dumbell, cooking to the desires of your tummy, playing with the kids, or avoiding the dangers of wearing a traditional wedding ring on call or at work, our elevated, medical-grade silicone bands are designed to integrate seamlessly into your life. AO Originals silicone rings come in a range of gleaming colors to match your style or any occasion. The medical-grade silicone is precisely crafted to exact proportions, resulting in a delicate, appealing appearance as well as a flexible and ventilated feel.
Dear all who are disheartened from giving up their beloved metal rings due to being allergic it them, our silicone rings are the ideal option for you as they are certified as hypoallergenic. Furthermore, they are durable, stylish and the perfect fit for everyday life.
“With a quest to make fitness, and all daily activities accessible and functional to every individual, our silicone rings align with our company values and objectives.”
Shop here for the trendiest and most vibrant silicone bands on the continent!