Are You Allergic to Your Wedding Band?
A Little Perspective
Wedding bands have been around for a long time. In fact, the tradition is proclaimed to have originated in ancient Egypt as far back as 6,000 years ago, with some interesting background lore you might not have heard. For example, it was once believed the ring finger held a mystical vein known as the Vena Amoris, believed to be directly connected to the heart. The two betrothed wore their rings over this vein as a way to better bind themselves together as one.
Today, though our understanding of human anatomy may have improved some (we now know that the Vena Amoris does not exist), marriage is no less magical than it was 6,000 years ago. In a world of seven billion people, what could be more extraordinary than finding The One? And when we do find The One, we wear our wedding bands proudly as a reminder of just how incredible and magical that love really is.
Unfortunately, nothing will dampen that feeling of marital bliss quicker than wedding ring rash.
What Is Wedding Ring Rash?
Wedding ring rash, also known as wedding ring dermatitis, is an unfortunate skin irritation that can develop underneath the band of the wedding ring. The rash, which may present itself as a red and blotchy irritation, can initially arise as an infrequent condition, but is likely to become chronic over time. For some people, symptoms of wedding rash will appear after only a few days or weeks of wearing the band. However, for others, symptoms will not arise for many years despite constant contact with their ring.
What Are the Causes?
Wedding ring rash has two major causes:
- Allergies to a metal in the wedding ring
- Irritation from residue buildup
- Titanium – Of these alternatives, perhaps none is faster-growing in popularity than titanium. Extremely durable, corrosion resistant, and cost-effective, titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic, which adds tremendously to its overall value. Titanium wedding rings can be purchased in a variety of beautiful hues, designs, and finishes, ranging in color from silver, to gray, to black.
- Platinum – More durable than gold, platinum is a difficult metal to work with. Beautiful, with soft, luminescent-white coloring, platinum is typically a good hypoallergenic material, although a drawback for many is the significant cost of the material. Expect to pay a lot of money for a platinum wedding band.
- Cobalt – Cobalt was originally designed for use in the medical and aerospace fields, but is now also used in jewelry. A heavier metal, cobalt has a bright, whitish appearance, not unlike that of platinum. It is also a hypoallergenic material, making it a popular choice for wedding bands.
- Stainless Steel – A very durable and affordable metal, stainless steel has become a popular alternative to gold. Stainless steel rings can be polished to look matte, or come with a reflective finish.