What is Nickel Allergy?

Filed in archive Metal Allergies , Skin Allergies on July 30, 2006

Nickel allergy is a contact allergy, which is an allergic skin reaction in response to an initial and/or brief, or repeated and/or prolonged, exposure to nickel or nickel-containing items. It's one of the most common type of skin allergies, and results to itchy, dry/crusty, and red/pigmented skin rash with watery blisters.

Nickel is a very common metal and is present in a lot of things we encounter everyday. Hence there are people who develop rashes on the area of the skin exposed to buttons, bra clips, jewelry (and body piercings), belt buckles, orthodontic braces and other nickel-containing objects. There are even people who have extremely high sensitivity to nickel that they are advised to refrain from eating food items that are high in nickel, such as chocolate, salmon, nuts, and canned fruits and vegetables. Pity those with nickel allergies, but whose job requires being at the till and handling coins!

Treatment only goes as far as managing the symptoms using topical steroids and emollients to relieve dry skin. In case of secondary infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. However, the closest there is to a cure is to avoid contact or exposure to nickel-containing objects.