One of the questions we often get from customers is whether or not you can be allergic to silicone. Our silicone rings are made from the best quality materials, but some people are allergic to silicone since it doesn’t occur naturally. It’s important to know the signs of a silicone allergy. Don’t Confuse Silicone with Latex — or Silicon So, what is silicone? Before we can talk about having an allergy to silicone, let’s talk about what silicone is. Check Out Our Collection of Silicone Rings Silicon is the natural element silicone is made from. Where silicon is a part of the periodic table, silicone is not. Silicon becomes silicone when mixed with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, typically. It’s a flexible, rubber-like plastic that can be molded to create a variety of items. From implants to kitchen utensils to wedding rings, silicone is used frequently in many products around the world. It has a high heat resistance, making it perfect for kitchen utensils and casing electrical parts to prevent shocks and sparks. But, you shouldn’t confuse silicone with latex which is actually a naturally occurring sap from rubber trees. Latex is used in a variety of items, but it’s mainly used to create rubber. And, latex can sometimes be made from synthetic materials as well, but most latex out there is naturally occurring. When the latex from trees mixes with water and other elements, it clumps and then it is dried out and smoked to become natural rubber. Of course, synthetic rubber is used frequently these days, but it’s important to know that none of our products contain latex because it’s a naturally occurring material and people can be allergic to it. Allergies to Metal Similar to latex, people can be allergic to nickel, a common metal found in jewelry. If you tend to wear jewelry that’s lower than 18k gold or silver, then you’re probably wearing nickel. If you’ve ever experienced what we call wedding ring rash, then you might be allergic to nickel! For those who are allergic to nickel, we recommend silicone rings. Because silicone allergies are so rare, there’s a much higher chance you’ll be safe wearing a silicone ring and won’t experience any allergen issues. You’ll soon realize you don’t need to itch your hand anymore or remove your ring! Plus, since silicone is much more durable than gold or silver, you can wear your ring while working out, at the beach or while changing your car’s oil. Order the Right Ring with Our Silicone Ring Size Chart Mild Signs of a Silicone Allergy Here are some of the most common signs of a silicone allergy: Red rash: Probably one of the first signs of a silicone allergy will be a red rash around the area the silicone comes in direct contact with. If you frequently work with chemicals, make sure to wash your silicone ring frequently to ensure those chemicals aren’t the reason for the rash. Swelling: It’s important you pay attention to whether or not your finger swells when you wear your silicone ring. Make sure the swelling isn’t just because your ring is too tight, though. Before ordering your rings, use our ring size chart to ensure you get the proper size. Swelling is also a sign your ring might be too tight, so if your finger is swelling, order another ring a size up and see if that alleviates the issue. If so, then your ring was too tight. If not, then you might be allergic to silicone. Itchy skin: Typically, people who are allergic to something will also experience itching. Some will itch only at the place where the allergen comes into contact with their skin, while others will itch on other places of their body. If you notice your skin is itching, accompanied by a red rash, then you might be allergic to silicone. Severe Signs of a Silicone Allergy Here are some of the most common signs of a severe silicone allergy: Nausea: Feeling nauseous can be a sign of an allergy. However, you’ll want to make sure you haven’t eaten anything to upset your stomach or aren’t just getting sick with the stomach flu. Typically, nausea happens in conjunction with other parts of an allergy. It’s hardly ever a solitary reaction. Throat swelling and difficulty breathing: If your throat starts to swell and you find it difficult to breathe, then you’re definitely having an allergic reaction. Of course, this is the most severe sign of an allergic reaction, so it’s important you get to a hospital as soon as possible.