Nickel allergy

Description

Nickel allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis — an itchy rash that appears where your skin touches a usually harmless substance.

Nickel allergy is often associated with earrings and other jewelry. But nickel can be found in many everyday objects, such as coins, zippers, frames for eyeglasses, cosmetics, detergents, and even some electronics, including cell phones and laptops.

It may take repeated or prolonged exposure to items containing nickel to develop a nickel allergy. The treatments can reduce the symptoms of allergy to nickel. Once you develop an allergy to nickel, however, you're always going to be sensitive to the metals and the need to avoid contact.

Symptoms

An allergic reaction (contact dermatitis) usually begins within hours to days after exposure to nickel. The reaction can last between 2 to 4 weeks. The reaction tends to occur only when his skin came in contact with the nickel, but at times it can appear in other places in your body.

Nickel allergy signs and symptoms include:

  • Skin rash or blisters on the skin
  • Itching, which may be severe
  • Redness or changes in the color of the skin
  • Dry patches of skin that may resemble a burn
  • The blisters, and drainage of fluid in severe cases

When to see a doctor

If you have a rash on the skin and I don't know how he managed it, talk with your doctor. If you've already been diagnosed with a nickel allergy and are unsure of who is reacting to the nickel exposure, the use of over-the-counter treatments and home remedies that your doctor has recommended previously.

However, if these treatments do not help, call your doctor. If you think that the area may be infected, see your doctor immediately. The signs and symptoms that may indicate an infection include:

  • Increased redness
  • The heat
  • Pus in the affected area
  • The pain

Causes

The exact cause of nickel allergy is unknown. As with other allergies, the nickel allergy develops when the immune system of the views of nickel and harmful, instead of a harmless substance. Normally, the immune system reacts only to protect your body against bacteria, viruses, or toxic substances.

Once your body has developed a reaction to a particular agent (allergen) — in this case, nickel — your immune system will always be sensitive to it. That means that at any time that is in contact with the nickel, your immune system will respond and produce an allergic response.

Your immune system is the sensitivity to nickel may develop after the first exposure or after repeated or prolonged exposure.

Sources of nickel exposure

Common elements that may expose you to nickel are:

  • Jewelry for body piercings
  • Other jewelry, including rings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches jewelry
  • Watch straps
  • Clothing fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, and the bra hooks
  • Belt buckles
  • Eyeglass frames
  • Coins
  • Metal tools
  • Cell phones
  • Keys
  • Military dog-tag IDENTIFICATION"
  • Chalk
  • Medical devices
  • Laptops or tablet computers
  • E-cigarettes

Some extremely sensitive people may be affected by the nickel-containing food. Some foods that contain high amounts of nickel include soy products, peas, canned foods, cocoa powder, clams, and cashew nuts.

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a nickel allergy, including:

  • Having ear or body piercings. Because the nickel is common in jewelry, nickel allergy is most often associated with earrings and other body piercing jewelry containing nickel.
  • Working with metal.If you work in an occupation that is constantly exposed to the nickel, the risk of developing an allergy can be higher than it is for someone who does not work with the metal. In addition, people who have regular exposure to nickel by "moisture" — as a result of sweating or frequent contact with water may be more likely to develop an allergy to nickel. These people are the waiters, the people who work in certain industries of food and household cleaners. Other people who may have a higher risk of allergy to nickel include metalworkers, tailors and hairdressers.
  • The fact of being a woman. Women are more likely to have an allergy to nickel that are men. This may be because females tend to have more piercings. A recent study found that overweight women seem to have a higher risk of allergy to nickel.
  • Having a family history of allergy to nickel. You may have inherited a tendency to develop an allergy to nickel that if other people in your family are sensitive to nickel.
  • Be allergic to other metals. People who have a sensitivity to other metals can also be allergic to nickel.

Working with metal. If you work in an occupation that is constantly exposed to the nickel, the risk of developing an allergy can be higher than it is for someone who does not work with the metal.

In addition, people who have regular exposure to nickel by "moisture" — as a result of sweating or frequent contact with water may be more likely to develop an allergy to nickel. These people are the waiters, the people who work in certain industries of food and household cleaners.

Other people who may have a higher risk of allergy to nickel include metalworkers, tailors and hairdressers.

Prevention

The best strategy to prevent nickel allergy development is to avoid long-term exposure to items containing nickel. If you already have a nickel allergy, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid contact with the metal.

However, it is not always easy to avoid the nickel because it is present in many products. Home test kits are available for verification by the nickel in metal objects.

The following tips can help you avoid nickel exposure:

The wear of the jewelry hypoallergenic

Avoid jewelry that contains nickel. The purchase of jewelry made of materials that are not prone to cause allergic reactions. Look for jewelry made of metals, such as nickel-free stainless steel, surgical steel, titanium, 18-carat yellow gold, or nickel-free yellow gold and sterling silver.

Surgical-grade stainless steel may contain nickel, but is generally considered hypoallergenic for most people. Make sure that the slope of the backups are also made of hypoallergenic materials.

Choose a piercing studio carefully

Before getting a piercing, check to make sure that the study uses sterile, nickel free or surgical steel needles in sealed packages. If the study uses a piercing gun, check to see if the part that touches the person getting pierced is not used in other clients. Verify that the study only sells jewelry hypoallergenic and can provide documentation of the metal content of the products for sale.

The use of substitute materials

Search for safer substitutes for the common nickel-containing items:

  • Watch straps of leather, cloth, or plastic
  • The zippers of clothing, or fasteners of plastic or coated metals
  • Plastic or titanium eyeglass frames

Create a barrier

If you have to be exposed to nickel in the workplace, creating a barrier between you and the nickel may help. If your hands have to touch the nickel, the use of gloves can help.

Try to coat buttons, snaps, zippers, and handles of tools with adhesive tape or with a clear barrier, such as Nickel-Guard. The clear nail Polish on the jewelry can help, but may have to be repeated often.

Nickel allergy

Diagnosis

Your doctor can usually diagnose an allergy to nickel, based on the appearance of your skin, and a recent exposure to the elements it can contain nickel.

If the cause of the rash is not evident, however, your doctor may recommend a patch test (contact hypersensitivity allergy test). He or she may refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist) or a skin specialist (dermatologist) for this test.

Patch testing

During a patch test, very small amounts of potential allergens (nickel) are applied to the skin and covered with small patches. The patches stay on the skin for two days before the doctor away. If you have a nickel allergy, the skin under the nickel patch is inflamed when the patch is removed, or in the days after the withdrawal of the patch.

Because of the low concentrations of allergens used, patch tests are safe, even for people with severe allergies.

Treatment

The first step in the treatment of nickel allergy is to avoid contact with the metal. There is No cure for allergy to nickel. Once you develop a sensitivity to nickel, which is going to develop a rash (contact dermatitis) when in contact with the metal.

Drugs

Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications to reduce the irritation and improve the condition of a rash from nickel allergy reaction:

  • Cream with corticosteroids, such as clobetasol (Clobex, Cormax, others) and betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene). The long-term use of these can cause thinning of the skin.
  • Nonsteroidal creams, such as tacrolimus (Protopic). The most common side effect is temporary itching at the site of application.
  • Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, if the reaction is severe, or a rash that covers a large area. These drugs can cause a number of side effects, including weight gain, mood changes, and increased blood pressure.
  • The oral antihistamines for the relief of the itching. However, these may not be very effective for the itching of the skin.

Phototherapy

This treatment involves exposing your skin to controlled amounts of artificial ultraviolet light. It is generally reserved for people who have not improved with topical or oral steroids. It can take months for the therapy to have an effect on the nickel allergy reaction.

Self-care

You can use some of the following home treatments for the treatment of contact dermatitis due to nickel allergy. If these treatments do not help, or the rash worsens, contact your doctor. Home remedies include the following:

  • The use of soothing lotions, such as calamine lotion, which can relieve the itching.
  • Moisturize regularly. Your skin has a natural barrier, which is interrupted when reacting to nickel and other allergens. The use of emollient lotions or creams, such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil, could reduce their need for topical corticosteroids.
  • Apply wet compresses, which can help dry up the blisters and ease the itching. Dampen a clean cloth in tap water or Burow's solution, an over-the-counter medications containing acetate of aluminum.

Avoid certain over-the-counter ointments, such as antibiotic creams, that may contain ingredients — particularly the antibiotic neomycin, which may worsen an allergic reaction.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you see your family doctor if you are experiencing an itchy rash that may be associated with nickel allergy. Preparing for your appointment can help you to make the most of your time with your doctor.

What you can do

  • Write a description of your symptoms, when they appear for the first time and if they occur in a pattern.
  • Make a list of the medications you are taking, including vitamins and dietary supplements.
  • Prepare a list of questions.

Questions that you can ask your doctor include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my rash?
  • What else could cause?
  • There is a test that can confirm the allergy to nickel? Do I need to prepare for this test?
  • What are the treatments available for allergy to nickel, and which do you recommend?
  • What side effects can I expect from these treatments?
  • Can I use over-the-counter medications to treat the disease?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms changed over time?
  • What at-home treatments have you used?
  • What effect did these treatments?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of allergy to Nickel