Eyeglasses And Allergies: How To Get Hypoallergenic Eyewear

Image source: gohealth.com

Did you know that it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to glasses? Often people who can’t wear any metal jewelry, other than high-quality silver or gold, experience skin reactions to certain metal eyeglasses.

Signs of an Allergic Reaction to Eyewear

Symptoms of an allergy to a material in eyeglasses varies from person to person. In some cases, a spotty mask-shaped rash around the eyes may appear. People who are allergic to nickel or other metals may experience skin discoloration and/or itchiness, while others break out in blister-like, red sores in the areas where their eyeglasses touch the skin.

Hypoallergenic Glasses

If metal and/or other eyewear materials give you contact dermatitis — which is when skin irritation occurs from contacting certain offenders — look for eyeglasses made with hypoallergenic materials. Hypoallergenic metal frames consist of high-quality materials such as titanium, stainless steel, silver, or gold. Be sure to look for pure titanium, since titanium alloy (also known as “memory titanium”) contains a mixture of metals that can cause skin sensitivity.

Another hypoallergenic option is to select a plastic frame such as acetate, which is made from plant-based plastic that’s strong, flexible, and comfortable to wear. A bonus is that acetate frames are also known for their vibrant colors and patterns – so style won’t be an issue!

Zenni has a great selection of fashionable, hypoallergenic frames like the ones featured below:

If you’ve noticed that your kiddo is having an allergic reaction to their eyewear, choose a plastic frame that contains no metal parts such as our /kids-flexible-glasses”>kids’ flexible frames.

If you think you may have a metal allergy, we recommend that you consult your doctor or eye doctor for proper testing. It’s important to know what exact metal or other substance is causing your skin reaction so that you can avoid contact with it.