What is a gold allergy?
Gold contact dermatitis, or gold allergy, is the immune system’s negative response when the skin comes into contact with gold or its alloys. If you are planning to buy gold jewelry, the allergy to gold may be one of your concerns. In this short blog, we will take a look at symptoms, causes, and treatments of this type of allergy.
Table of Contents
Why am i suddenly allergic to gold?
You may be suddenly allergic to gold due to a sensitivity to alloys used in the gold jewelry, such as nickel or copper. Over time, your body can develop an allergic reaction to these metals, causing skin irritation or rashes. It’s also possible that changes in your skin, such as pH or moisture levels, could trigger the allergy. If the reaction persists, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor or dermatologist.
What are the symptoms of a gold allergy?
Knowing the symptoms of the allergy can be crucial in identifying the problem. For a gold allergy, they include redness, swelling, itching, or even, in some cases, peeling, dark spots, or blistering.
What are the causes of gold allergy?
Caused by direct contact with metals, gold allergy can appear in different degrees based on the type of gold they wear.
What type of gold causes allergic reactions?
24k gold
AKA 100% pure gold, 24k gold is the least likely to cause a gold allergy. However, 24k gold is too soft to work with and also expensive.
10k and 14k gold
With the chance of containing other metals such as zinc, copper, or nickel, which is the most common cause of metal allergies, 10k and 14k gold are more likely to cause gold allergy than 24k gold, yet they are less expensive and easier to handle.
Vermeil
Since vermeil is a thick layer of usually 14k or 22k gold on top of silver, if the silver wears off, the silver underneath or the nickel, if it contains any, can cause allergic reactions. Although it is more hypoallergenic than gold-plated jewelry, it is not as safe as high-karat gold.
Gold-plated
A thin layer of gold over brass or nickel, the major allergen, gold-plated jewelry can be the most likely to cause allergic reactions.
| Type of Gold | Typical Alloys | Allergy Risk |
| 24k gold | None | Low |
| 10k and 14k gold | Zinc, Copper, or Nickel | Medium |
| Vermeil | Silver or Nickel | Medium |
| Gold-plated | Brass or Nickel | High |
What color of gold causes allergic reactions?
Yellow gold
Since it contains copper and silver, yellow gold is less of a risk than other colors. However, low-karat yellow gold, which can be mixed with other alloys, can be considered more of a threat, especially for sensitive skin.
Rose gold
The copper, which is one of the alloys of rose gold, sometimes alongside silver, can be risky for skin sensitive to metals.
White gold
With the alloys being nickel, palladium, or silver, this color of gold has the highest chance of causing the gold allergy.
| Color of Gold | Typical Alloys | Allergy Risk |
| Yellow Gold | None, or small amounts of Zinc, Copper, or Nickel | Low |
| Rose Gold | Copper or Silver | Medium |
| White Gold | Silver, Palladium, or Nickel | High |
How is gold allergy diagnosed?
Once you see the symptoms, you should visit a doctor, who may, if needed, recommend a patch test. In this type of test, a small patch of common allergens is attached to your skin for 48 hours, and the skin is inspected for up to 96 hours to check for any immediate or delayed reactions. If the patch test is positive, the patch area shows symptoms similar to the gold allergy’s. In this case, the doctor may advise you not to wear certain karats or colors of gold or to look for treatments.
What are the treatments?
The treatments can include topical treatments, skin smoothing remedies, oral antihistamines, and sometimes rhodium plating. For more specific information about your case, you can consult with your doctor.
Is gold allergy permanent?
Gold allergy is a type IV hypersensitivity reaction, which means once your immune system is sensitized to gold, the symptoms appear every time you come into contact with it again.
In conclusion, if you are trying to avoid allergic reactions to gold, it is wise to choose the type and color of it carefully. 18k to 24k gold can be some safe options, alongside looking for nickel-free and hypoallergenic metals, while low karat gold, or any type of gold that contains nickel, is risky. If you see any of the symptoms mentioned above, do not hesitate to set an appointment with your doctor, and avoid self-diagnosis or ignoring them.
To see our custom gold jewelry, you can visit our products page. We follow all tips about gold allergies that we talked about in our article.
For further information, you can read more about it on Contact Allergy to Gold.
Is 14K Gold Hypoallergenic? 10K vs 14K vs 18K vs 24K for Sensitive Skin
14K gold is more hypoallergenic than 10K and a great everyday choice for most people with sensitive skin. It has a balanced mix of pure gold and alloy metals, making it durable and comfortable to wear.
- 10K gold has more alloy metals (copper, nickel, zinc), which can trigger irritation or redness.
- 14K gold is considered the safest option for most sensitive skin because the metal balance is kinder and less reactive.
- 18K gold contains more pure gold and fewer alloys, making it more hypoallergenic than 14K, but it is softer and less durable.
- 24K gold is pure and naturally hypoallergenic but too soft for everyday jewelry like rings and chains.
If you experience irritation, redness, or rash with 10K or certain 14K pieces, choose 18K solid gold or nickel-free gold alloys. Always look for products that specifically mention “hypoallergenic” or “nickel free.”
Rose Gold vs White Gold: Which Is Better for Allergy-Prone Skin?
If you have sensitive skin, rose gold usually causes fewer reactions than white gold. Rose gold is made from gold and copper, and while some people may react to copper, the reaction rate is still lower compared to nickel-mixed metals.
White gold, especially traditional white gold, is often alloyed with nickel, one of the most common metal allergens. Even though white gold jewelry is usually plated with rhodium, the plating can wear off over time and expose the nickel alloy underneath, leading to irritation or a rash.
✔ Better for sensitive skin: rose gold or yellow gold (nickel-free)
✖ Higher allergy risk: white gold with nickel alloys
If you love white gold, choose “nickel-free white gold” or palladium-based white gold, which is safer and skin-friendly.
Why Am I Suddenly Allergic to Gold Jewelry After Years of Wearing It?
A sudden gold allergy can happen even if you have worn the same jewelry for years without problems. Over time, your immune system can become more reactive to certain metals like nickel or copper, especially if the protective plating has worn off.
Other reasons include:
- Skin sensitivity increases with age, hormonal changes, or stress
- Exposure to lotions, perfumes, sweat, or humidity, which can irritate the skin under jewelry
- A buildup of soap or cosmetic residue, which traps moisture and causes redness or itching
- A reaction to alloy metals rather than gold itself
If the reaction is new, stop wearing the piece temporarily, clean it well, and switch to 18K solid gold or nickel-free pieces.
Is Yellow Gold Really Hypoallergenic? What to Know Before You Buy
Yellow gold is one of the most naturally hypoallergenic metals, especially when alloyed without nickel. Most reactions to “gold jewelry” are caused by the alloy metals, not the gold itself. The higher the gold purity (14K and above), the lower the risk of irritation.
Best: 18K yellow gold (nickel-free) → safest for sensitive skin
Very good: 14K yellow gold → durable and comfortable for everyday wear
Less ideal: 10K gold → contains more metals that may irritate
If you have severe allergies, always confirm whether the jewelry is nickel-free and choose solid gold instead of plated gold, which may expose base metals as the plating wears off.
How to Test for a Gold Allergy: Patch Tests, Gold Sodium Thiosulfate and Diagnosis
If you suspect a gold allergy, the safest and most accurate way to diagnose it is through a patch test performed by a dermatologist. During this process, gold compounds or alloy metals are placed on your skin and monitored for reactions.
The most reliable test material is Gold Sodium Thiosulfate, which helps confirm whether your skin reacts directly to gold or other alloys commonly mixed with gold.
Steps to test safely:
- Visit a dermatologist or allergy specialist
- Request a patch test including Gold Sodium Thiosulfate
- Avoid self-testing with jewelry, because irritation can be caused by detergents, lotions, sweat, or nickel rather than gold itself
Once diagnosed, you can choose jewelry metals that are safer and more comfortable for your skin.
How Common Is Gold Allergy? Who Gets It and Why
Gold allergy is less common than nickel allergy, but it still affects a noticeable group of people, especially those with sensitive skin or a history of metal allergies. Most reactions are related to gold alloys, not pure gold.
People most likely to experience a reaction include:
- Individuals with existing nickel sensitivity
- Those who wear jewelry for long hours in humid or sweaty environments
- People with a history of eczema or dermatitis
- Individuals exposed to cosmetics or disinfectants that trap moisture under jewelry
Gold allergies are more frequent in areas where jewelry rubs or stays in constant contact with skin — such as earrings, rings, and necklace chains on the neck.
If you suspect an allergy, switching to solid, nickel-free 18K yellow gold often provides relief.
