Manage Jewellery and Metal Allergy

उपशेते यदौचित्यादोक सात्म्यं तदुच्यते||४९||
(च.सू.६/४९)

Jewellery or metal allergy is a common cause of contact allergic dermatitis. Most jewellery allergy is caused by the metal nickel which is used in the manufacture of precious metal alloys. In less expensive jewellery, nickel is often used in the base metal which is then plated with gold or silver. Many people who believe that they are allergic to gold or silver jewellery are allergic to nickel, which can occur as a trace element in gold or silver or has been used in the manufacture of gold jewellery to whiten and strengthen the piece. Jewellery allergy presents as dermatitis in places where nickel-containing metal is touching the skin. 

The most common sites of jewellery allergy are the earlobes (from earrings), the fingers (from rings), and around the neck (from necklaces); the affected areas become intensely itchy and may become red and blistered (acute dermatitis) or dry, thickened and pigmented (chronic dermatitis). Sometimes dermatitis later affects areas that are not in contact with jewellery, particularly the hands

In Ayurveda, we can say that this type of reaction is caused unsuitable or Asatmya influences. Similarly, there may be cases of seasonal or acquired skin sensitivities that is caused due to a reactive type toxin called Amavasya. This is the more dangerous counterpart of the toxin Ama, which is usually created due to faulty digestion. If Ama is left to continue to accumulate in the digestive tract, it can spread to other tissues (dates) and organs. Eventually, the Ama interacts with the organs, tissues and functions of the body (subdoshas) where if not flushed out, it settles and forms a reactive poison called Amavisha. When an Asatmya influence or allergen interacts with the Amavisha it can impair cell functioning and may manifest as rashes, discoloration, roughness or irritation.