What is Nickel?
Nickel is a silver-white metal element commonly mixed with other metals in industrial manufacturing and various products. It has been found that more people are allergic to “nickel” than to other types of metals.
Nickel Allergy Causes Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis from nickel is caused by an immune system process called “Cell Mediated Immune Response.” Symptoms usually appear within 15-30 minutes after contact and can be divided into 3 stages:
- Stage 1: Swelling, redness, itching, blistering, and blister rupture with oozing fluid
- Stage 2: Inflammation of blisters decreases, blisters begin to dry, scab forms, itching reduces
- Stage 3: Skin thickens and darkens with a scaly appearance
If these symptoms occur, you should promptly see a dermatologist because leaving it untreated may cause the condition to worsen.
People Allergic to Nickel Should Avoid the Following
- Jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, metal watchbands, metal lipstick cases, metal eyeglass frames, metal powder compacts, and brooches
- Working with or being close to metalworkers, battery technicians, metal plating workers, or those involved with machinery
- Materials attached to clothing such as jean buttons, metal buttons, belt buckles, and zippers
- Other items such as eyelash curlers, hair clips, dental tools, scissors, needles, door knobs, silver coins, hidden-tip brooches, and metal umbrella handles
- Items containing nickel, for example, do not keep silver coins in shirt or pants pockets or hold them in your hand for a long time; instead, store coins in plastic bags or pouches
Foods That Patients or Those Allergic to Nickel Should Avoid
The following foods often contain high amounts of nickel, so patients or those allergic to nickel should avoid them:
- Shellfish and Shrimp: Small shrimp, shellfish, mussels
- Vegetables: Cabbage, green onions, lettuce, spinach
- Beans: Green, brown, and white beans, soy milk, leguminous vegetables with seeds
- Grains: Millet, oats, wheat bran, unpolished rice, bread made from these grains
- Fruits: Dates, figs, pineapple, prunes, raspberries
- Beverages: Chocolate, cocoa-containing drinks, tea
- Other Foods: Almonds, large amounts of baking powder, cottonseed oil, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, foods containing nuts, chocolate desserts, and vitamins containing nickel
