Glasses Frame Allergy — Nickel, Materials & What to Choose

Updated: 12 June 2026 · By the Eye-Shop.eu optical team

Do your glasses leave redness or itching on your nose and behind your ears? It is probably not the fit but the frame material. The most common cause is nickel. Here is which materials to choose so you don't suffer — and how it connects to the parts of the frame (see also the anatomy of glasses).

Why the allergy appears: nickel

Contact allergy to nickel is one of the most common. On cheap metal frames or alloys, sweat and skin contact "release" nickel ions that cause dermatitis: redness, itching, dryness or small blisters — mainly at the contact points: the nose pad (nose) and the temple tips (behind the ears).

Frame materials & allergy — comparison table

Material	Hypoallergenic?	Characteristics
Titanium	Yes, excellent	Very light, durable, nickel-free — ideal for sensitive skin
Acetate	Yes	Cellulose-based plastic, rich colour — contains no metal
TR90 / nylon	Yes	Flexible, light, durable — popular in sport
Surgical stainless steel	Usually yes	Thin & durable, low or zero nickel release
Cheap metal alloys (monel etc.)	Not always	May contain nickel — the most common cause of allergy

What to choose if you have sensitive skin

• Titanium: the safest choice — light, durable, completely nickel-free.
• Acetate or TR90: zero metal at the contact points, ideal for everyday wear and sport.
• Silicone nose pads: on metal frames, they prevent direct metal-to-nose contact.
• Avoid very cheap metal frames of unknown composition.

Small tricks if the irritation persists

If you love a metal frame but it bothers you, an optician can add protective covers/silicone at the contact points or change the nose pads. A correct fit also reduces friction. See the parts of the frame to understand where the contact happens.

Quality = less allergy

Branded, authentic glasses use tested materials (titanium, quality acetate, steel) with low-nickel-release specifications. It is the fake/cheap alloys that usually cause problems.

Important

This article is informational and does not replace medical advice. If you have persistent or severe irritation, consult a dermatologist. At Eye-Shop.eu you'll find 100% authentic glasses from an official distributor, in titanium, acetate and quality metals — with full UV400 protection.