Really OT but need watch help

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Really OT but need watch help
7
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 12:51am

This is really OT but you parents seem to be great resources so here goes -

I've apparently developed an allergy to certain metals. I developed a contact dermatitis under my watch which was bad enough to warrant a dr. visit. It's finally starting to clear up so I tried glueing felt to the back of my watch (against the metal back) and wore it about 4 hours - now I have little hives spreading at the area of the clasp where there is just a very tiny piece of metal that touched my skin. So apparently NO METAL is key.

I need to wear a watch at work. The watch I have is stainless steel but apparently some people with nickel allergies react to the the small bits of nickel that is in stainless steel. Any one else deal with this? Some of the sport watches use fabric and velcro but they look so clunky. Plastic kid's watch? Solid gold watch :)?

Many thanks!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-25-2002
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 7:44am

You may be able to wear titanium...try Swatch, WalMart.com and Armitron. They all make some plastic watches that are fairly unassuming.


There's always Rolex..

 

Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 7:59am

I have a thought, ok maybe two...

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Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 8:04am

I know it's not very feminine, but you could get a pocket watch. Or one that's on a necklace chain. Do you carry a cell phone? They have the built-in clock - you could just check that if/when needed. Best of luck.

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 8:42am

I have the very same issue.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 8:51am

My DD has the same problem. I actually realized it when she was a baby and had red welts exactly where the snaps on her sleeper were. One time as a young teen, she came home from a sleepover with a huge red welt on her neck - what? it sure looked like a hickey! Nope, she just slept with her necklace on and the clasp irritated her skin.

She's had luck recently with a bracelet type watch - it's not snug against her wrist, so it doesn't irritate her skin (I think it's the interaction of sweat and the metals that causes the irritation). It's stainless steel too, which does not seem to give her as much trouble as nickel does.

hth

Sue, mom to Leah and Seth


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Avatar for imomtojd
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 11:30am

DS has a nickel allergy also. You just have to do research to find out what metals or combinations don't contain any nickel. He hasn't ever worn a watch for that reason. It really just hit home this year when we were ordering a school ring. We had to spend a lot more money on one that didn't contain any nickel, because most less expensive jewelry contains it as an cheap filler. Good luck, I have to wear a watch or I feel naked LOL.

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Mon, 01-21-2008 - 2:57pm

I'm out of my league here....


But what about those watches I've seen that clip to something; I would assume a belt buckle?


Or would this not be a feminine thing to do? Please don't call the fashion police on me..... :-)