by Michele Blacksberg

Created on: July 10, 2009   Last Updated: July 11, 2009

Nickel has been shown to be the most common allergen that causes allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Nickel allergies may develop after a single or repeated exposure to nickel containing sources. About 8-11% of women and 2-3% of men are allergic to nickel and develop allergic contact dermatitis when exposed. Women have a higher incidence most likely due to the fact that nickel is a common component in jewelry, especially pierced earrings.

Irritation often develops 12-48 hours after wearing jewelry made with nickel. A 2009 study showed as many as 35% of women under the age of 18, developed allergic dermatitis when they were patched tested for nickel allergies. This indicates that there are more people allergic to nickel than are currently reported.

Nickel allergies in men can occur in those who are involved in industrial work such as manufacturing stainless steel, metal welding and battery production or when working in with wet surfaces that keep the skin in contact with nickel. The incidence of nickel allergies in men has also been increasing as more men have been getting body piercings.

Nickel is also present in many food products such as nuts, breads, shellfish and chocolate. Surprisingly, other sources of nickel exist in frequently contacted items such as watchbands, eyeglasses, belt buckles, keys, tools and even paper clips. A nickel contact dermatitis rash has even been reported due to facial contact with the free nickel on the surface of a cell phone in the journal of Canadian Medicine.

*Symptoms of a nickel allergy rash:

The rash can appear itchy, bumpy, red, blistered or with dry patches and can continue for 2-4 weeks after the exposure. The rash may be mild so it is hard to pin down its exact cause or may even occur in a location away from the actual contact area.

*How to test for nickel allergy:

Patch testing will confirm nickel allergic dermatitis. A dermatologist will place a sample of nickel in a small test area to be checked in 48 hours to see if any skin irritation has occurred. If the test is positive, then a diagnosis of ACD or allergic contact dermatitis is made an avoidance of nickel will need to be modified in daily life.

*How to test items suspected to be made with nickel:

AllerTest Ni Nickel Detection Kits can be purchased on line from Amazon or dermadoctor.com to test for nickel content in suspected items. The testing solutions contain dimethylglyoxime and ammonium hydroxide and when mixed together and rubbed turn pink

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