Nickel Allergy: Symptoms and Treatment

Fashion jewelry in particular often contains a high proportion of nickel, which causes painful skin reactions in some people. We show symptoms and treatment options for a nickel allergy.

It scratches, itches and burns the skin . Whether this is a simple skin irritation or a skin disease is often not immediately apparent. However, it is not uncommon for an allergy to be behind it. Nickel allergy is one of the most common contact allergies . Women between the ages of 20 and 40 are particularly susceptible to this disease. One in five women is affected, this is mostly due to the relatively young and vulnerable skin, but also to the increased wearing of costume jewelery containing nickel. A nickel allergy can suddenly appear, even if you previously wore jewelry containing nickel without any problems.

The cause of this contact allergyis a release of nickel that occurs when an object containing nickel comes into contact with sweat. Nickel ions are then released and react with the protein found in the various layers of our skin. However, the actual reaction then takes place at the cellular level. The cells of the white blood cells release an inflammatory substance. The trigger for this is the receptor TLR4 (“toll-like receptor 4”). Whether you are susceptible to this contact allergy or not depends heavily on various factors. On the one hand, the general condition of the skin plays a role, but also factors such as sweating, which are common Washing and pre-existing skin conditions are points to consider, and piercings and pierced ears can often lead to sensitization or a strong reaction.Symptoms : Small amounts of nickel are often enough to cause an allergic reaction.

Whether the skin reacts or not does not depend directly on the nickel content, but much more on the nickel release of the object. A limit of 0.5 micrograms per square centimeter has existed for these since 1994. This limit has led to a decline in nickel allergy sufferers in recent years. Avoiding the triggering stimulus is usually difficult, since possible triggers of this disease are often everyday objects such as costume jewellery, spectacle frames, belt buckles and buttons. However, even silver and white gold jewelery can contain traces of nickel, which is why they should also be handled with care. An everyday object that you can hardly avoid touching is small change. One and two euro coins also contain large amounts of nickel. However, since they usually only have very brief contact with the skin, they often do not pose any major danger. To avoid a reaction, costume jewelery containing nickel must be labelled. It is often covered with a protective varnish. However, this does not provide complete protection as it can crumble or chip. Not only jewelry continues to be a danger, symptoms can also be triggered by food. ThereNickel is a trace element in our body and is part of a healthy diet in small amounts, eliminating nickel-containing foods altogether is not recommended. A reduction in consumption, on the other hand, does. Nickel is particularly found in staple foods such as cereals and nuts, but also in sweet products such as chocolate. Cookware is closely related to food. This is also suspected of releasing nickel when it comes into contact with acidic foods. Therefore, the use of more compatible materials such as glass is recommended. Even dentures can trigger a nickel allergy. This often leads to changes in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.

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Symptoms of nickel allergy

The symptoms of a nickel allergy can manifest themselves in very different ways. The skin usually begins to redden and burn, causing itching. Prolonged contact can cause contact eczema. Water accumulates in the tissue and swelling, wheals, blisters or weeping wounds or crusts develop.

As a layperson, it is often not possible to determine whether you suffer from a nickel allergy or not, which is why the diagnosis of a nickel allergy should be made by a doctor. The doctor first thoroughly examines the symptoms and affected areas and then makes his diagnosis. In order to confirm them, a so-called patch test is usually carried out. In this test, a band-aid containing nickel sulfate is placed on the patient’s back. If there is a reaction, such as skin irritation, you have a nickel allergy. If you are diagnosed with a nickel allergy, you should take countermeasures as soon as possible. Such an allergy cannot be cured, but your symptoms can be managed well.

Treat nickel allergies

Since the nickel allergy is a contact allergy, the irritation usually subsides after a few days or a week. However, if the skin has uninterrupted contact with the trigger over a longer period of time, this can permanently damage the skin. In order to alleviate the suffering quickly, various methods and types of therapy are recommended. Logically, the triggering factor must first be eliminated. If this is obvious (e.g. costume jewellery, etc.), it should be removed immediately. For slight irritation, it is recommended to apply an anti-inflammatory ointment containing cortisone. If the irritation is more severe, treating the skin with substances containing tar or UV treatment can provide relief. In extreme cases, therapy with tablets can also take place after consultation with your doctor.A diet low in nickel is recommended. You should plan and check the conversion and effectiveness with a nutritionist or your family doctor.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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