Have you ever observed an aircraft flying in certain patterns and expelling thick smoke to create letters in the sky? These letters are visible from the ground. Titanium tetrachloride, which has the capacity to produce thick fumes, is used for skywriting. Titanium is a chemical element represented by the sign Ti and atomic number 22. It is known for its luster and metallic white color. It is present in the earth's crust in abundance. It is also present in the human body, plants, meteorites, coal ash, and in the sun. Titanium allergy is very rare as it is an inert metal. Titanium Uses Titanium is a strong but light metal. It is preferred over steel for body piercing. The alloys of this metal are stronger and lighter, and hence have various applications. The element titanium exhibits various useful properties. For example, it comes with an exceptional strength to weight ratio, it is opaque in nature, and it makes an alloy corrosion-resistant. It offers glossy and white texture to paper and paint. It is used in the desalination of plants, and in the ship building industry too, as it has the ability to resist saline water. The metal is used for building aircraft. It is used in jewelry, eyeglass frames, pacemakers, artificial hip or knee joints, bone plates and screws, dental implants, cookware, and many other household and industrial products. It is present in toothpaste, plastic carrier bags, sunscreen agents, various mixtures used for medicinal purposes, and in various alloys used for industrial purposes. The chemical titanium dioxide is used in confectioneries, cosmetics, medicines and vitamin supplements (coating). Allergy Symptoms Titanium allergy symptoms are mostly noticed when people use titanium jewelry for body piercing or when people are exposed to this metal through dental or endoprosthetic implants. Depending upon the production process, titanium may contain a small amount of nickel, and many people are actually allergic to nickel. So they may experience allergic symptoms. Studies show that patients may show hypersensitivity to implants that contain titanium. Some patients develop metal sensitivity after implantation of orthopedic hardware, pacemaker or dental implants. Symptoms of such an allergy may vary from person to person. They can be different every time, and hence quite puzzling. After a body piercing, one may notice skin rash or hives. Itching sensation and reddened skin can also be noticed. Some people do experience pain around that particular area. For example, ear-piercing with titanium jewelry may lead to neck pain or headaches, along with swelling and itchiness. But there is no need to rush to the hospital. The symptoms may subside on their own within 2 - 3 days. If the symptoms do not go away or if they worsen; then you may have to remove the jewelry. The most important symptom which can be a cause of concern is 'chronic fatigue'. If you experience muscle pain and chronic fatigue without any known reason (physical or mental exertion), and if the fatigue does not go away even after sufficient rest, then you should consult your physician. People usually complain about fatigue after experiencing it for months. They should consult their physician as early as possible. Failure of the artificial joint or titanium implant is many times wrongly attributed to an allergy to titanium. Cases exhibiting allergy symptoms after titanium implants have been hardly ever noticed. After implantation, if the patient has some problem, he / she should immediately consult the doctor. Early detection of an allergy or any other problem helps avoid further health complications. If the person is allergic to titanium, his / her immune system may destroy the normal healthy tissues and organs in the body. Small particles of titanium are released during routine corrosion. The particles become ions and bind to body proteins. The body starts attacking these structures. This can even lead to multiple sclerosis. One may exhibit titanium allergy symptoms after coming in contact with titanium dioxide, which is present in titanium sunscreen, food and paint. The MELISA test (blood test) helps detect whether you have an allergy to titanium. If the test result is positive, one should avoid exposure to the metal by taking out the titanium jewelry or by selecting titanium-free toothpaste and cosmetics. In a worst case scenario, one may have to replace titanium implants.