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Is iridium hypoallergenic or allergenic?
Iridium is hypoallergenic and is one of the least likely precious metals to cause allergic reactions.
However, while iridium is hypoallergenic, it can still be alloyed with allergenic metals which would then cause problems for you.
For example, there’s known cases of people reacting to iridium in Platinum Iridium (900 Plat – 100Irid), even though iridium makes up just 10% of that alloy
Learn more below!
- Can You Be Allergic to Iridium?
- Is Iridium Jewelry Hypoallergenic?
- Is Iridium Bullion Hypoallergenic?
Table of Contents
Can You Be Allergic to Iridium?
Yes, you can be allergic to iridium even though iridium is a hypoallergenic precious metal.
A recent study showed that roughly 1% of participants (common people so we can assume this would translate to 1% of the general population) were allergic to iridium when exposed to it.
1% isn’t a lot, but if you’re that 1 person out of a hundred, than it’s a problem.
Note: symptoms of iridium skin allergy include contact dermatitis (redness, swelling, itching, and fluid-filled blisters on the skin), asthma, and contact urticaria (hives or rash appearing on the skin), and the allergy can be diagnosed with patch testing using iridium salts, such as iridium(III) chloride.
Remember that humans are mostly exposed to iridium through iridium jewelry and bullion. But this metal is also found various other products, including dental and medical devices.
Is Iridium Jewelry Hypoallergenic?
Yes, iridium jewelry is hypoallergenic if the jewelry is made from pure iridium and if you’re not one of the rare people allergic to this precious metal.
However, iridium is almost never used for creating pure iridium jewelry. Instead, it’s alloyed with platinum to create Platinum Iridium, an alloy that has boosted hardness, strength, and durability compared to pure platinum while retaining the luster and simple elegance of platinum.
You’ll be allergic to Platinum Iridium if you’re allergic to iridium, as 10% within the alloy is more than enough to cause problems.
Is Iridium Bullion Hypoallergenic?
Yes, iridium bullion is hypoallergenic.
You won’t get skin dermatitis handling your pure iridium bullion provided you’re not one of rare people who’s allergic to iridium specifically.
Is Iridium Hypoallergenic? Conclusion
Iridium is generally hypoallergenic and among the least likely precious metals to trigger allergic reactions.
However, approximately 1% of the population can still develop allergies to iridium, experiencing symptoms like contact dermatitis, asthma, and hives.
While pure iridium jewelry and bullion are hypoallergenic for most people, problems arise when iridium is alloyed with other metals, particularly in platinum-iridium alloys where even 10% iridium content can cause reactions in sensitive individuals.
References:
- Indium and iridium: Two rare metals with a high rate of contact sensitization- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32248538/
- Platinum ring giving me a rash! Is the band too thick/rubbing against my pinky?- https://www.reddit.com/r/EngagementRings/comments/wb58pa/platinum_ring_giving_me_a_rash_is_the_band_too/
- Iridium jewelry- https://orchid.ganoksin.com/t/iridium-jewelry/42374/1
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
