by Estella Reed

Created on: March 12, 2008

Copper was the first metal to be used by man. It was first used some 9000 years ago by "Neolithic man" to make tools.

Today, copper is in close relationship with the humans but, allergies to copper are fortunately very rare.

Copper is commonly used in the building industry and also to make electronics and biomedical equipment. It is also used to make coins, brass instruments, household goods such as door knobs, bathroom fittings, pots, pans, knives, spoons and kitchen surfaces. Copper is also used to make jewelry.

The closest contact copper has with human beings may be inside the uterus by the copper containing IUDs (intra uterine devices) used as a mode of contraception by the women.

Symptoms
Symptoms of copper allergy depend on the nature of contact this metal has with you.
If you are allergic to copper but come in contact with copper in the form of touching door knobs, jewelry and other copper containing products, you may develop an allergic dermatitis. This is an allergic skin reaction. It usually will involve those areas which come in direct contact with the metal. For example your hands, wrists and earlobes.

You may develop a skin rash, redness and itching of the involved areas. Your skin might develop small oozing blisters or flake off or excoriate from scratching. This will usually subside with appropriate treatment with antihistamines or steroids. If it is left untreated and if the offending source of copper is not removed, the allergic reaction might spread to other areas of your skin.

Allergy to the copper in IUDs is extremely rare. If you are using a copper containing IUD, and you are allergic to copper, you may have a rash, redness and itching of your skin, with swelling around your eyes and mouth. This may subside on treatment with antihistamines but, reappear again during menstruation.

If the IUD is not removed, your allergic reaction may appear and reappear. Each time the reaction will tend to be more severe than the first. This may go on until you remove your IUD. However much it may be rare, if you think you have an allergy to your IUD, you should talk to your doctor.

Because copper is a fairly inert metal, allergic reactions to copper occurs usually when the metal forms compounds with atmospheric pollutants. Symptoms are less attributable to copper but more to this copper containing new compound.

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