What is Nickel Allergy?

Be Cautious with Jewelry! What is Nickel Allergy?

Nickel allergy is the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, which appears as an itchy rash in areas of the skin that come into contact with a typically harmless substance.

It is generally associated with earrings and other jewelry. However, nickel can also be found in many everyday items such as coins, zippers, mobile phones, and eyeglass frames, as well as in some foods.

To develop a nickel allergy, frequent and prolonged consumption of foods containing nickel or prolonged exposure to nickel-containing items may be necessary. The symptoms of nickel allergy can be reduced with treatment. Once a nickel allergy develops, sensitivity to metal begins, and therefore, contact with metal should always be avoided.

Today, about 15% of the population develops a nickel allergy. It has been found that approximately 30% of affected individuals develop nickel allergy through food sources. Nickel allergy can develop after consuming foods such as chocolate, nuts, certain meats, fruits, vegetables, and shellfish.

Nickel allergy typically presents with atopic dermatitis and eczema on the skin, but other symptoms include chronic fatigue, headaches, and both physical and mental weakness. When such symptoms are observed, a Nickel Allergy Test is conducted to diagnose the allergic condition. If diagnosed with nickel allergy, the person should avoid contact with metal and follow a diet with reduced nickel content under medical supervision.

Nickel Allergy Symptoms The allergic reaction usually starts hours to days after exposure to nickel and can last between two to four weeks. The reaction typically occurs at the site where the skin came into contact with metal but may also appear on other parts of the body in some cases.

Nickel allergy symptoms include:

Redness and swelling of the skin
Intense itching
Changes in skin color
Dry skin patches resembling burns
Blisters and oozing in severe cases
Headaches and joint pain
Weakness and fatigue
Nickel Allergy Causes The exact causes of nickel allergy are not well understood. However, like other allergies, it is believed to stem from the immune system perceiving nickel as a harmful substance rather than a harmless one. Normally, the immune system only reacts to bacteria, viruses, or toxic substances. However, in some cases, the body can also react to harmless substances.

It is important to note that once the immune system reacts to a particular substance, it will remain sensitive to that substance. Therefore, individuals who develop a nickel allergy will have immune system reactions whenever they come into contact with nickel. For this reason, people with nickel allergies should avoid contact with metal and foods containing metal.

Nickel Sources Common items that may expose you to nickel include:

Piercings
Rings, bracelets, and necklaces
Watch bands
Zippers, snap fasteners, and bra hooks
Belt buckles
Eyeglass frames
Coins
Metal tools
Mobile phones
Keys
Tags
Chalk
Medical devices
Computers
E-cigarettes
Nickel Allergy Risk Factors The following factors can increase the risk of developing a nickel allergy:

Getting ear or body piercings: Jewelry containing nickel increases the risk of developing a nickel allergy. Piercings are among the jewelry types that can heighten this risk.
Metalworking: Workers in jobs that may expose them to nickel are at a higher risk of developing a nickel allergy.
Additionally, bartenders, food industry workers, hairdressers, and cleaners, who are regularly exposed to water and certain chemicals, are also at significant risk.
People with a family history of nickel allergy or sensitivity to other metals are also at higher risk.

How to Prevent Nickel Allergy Exposure Avoid products containing the following substances:

Nickel sulfate
Nickel alloys
Nickel-soluble salts
Elemental nickel
Carbonyl nickel powder
Nickel plating
Nickel catalysts
Identify Personal Sources of Nickel Household items containing nickel include steel pots, chrome or nickel steel pans, electric heaters, and coffee and espresso machines.

Nickel levels in coffee made from coffee machines may be ten times higher than in ready-made coffee. Water that has been sitting in faucets for extended periods can have a high nickel content, so it is advisable to let some water run before using tap water. Additionally, tobacco smoke contains nickel.

Reducing Nickel in Foods It is not always possible to reduce the nickel content in food. The nickel content in foods varies depending on the farming location, type of food, the plant’s age, and how it is processed. Therefore, in the diet for nickel allergy, both the nickel content in food products and the quantity of food consumed are important.

Foods High in Nickel Content Dairy Products: White cheese, processed cheese, and some other cheese varieties. Meat and Meat Products: Offal, liver, kidney, and processed meats such as sausage and salami. Fish and Seafood: Tuna, lobster, sardines, and shellfish. Sweets: All types of chocolate, fruit-based sweets, nutty sweets, almonds, hazelnuts, bitter almonds, wafers, nougat, and licorice. Beverages: Black tea, cocoa products, and alcoholic drinks. Grains and Grain Products: Whole grain breads, buckwheat breads, bran breads, barley breads, whole wheat grains, and ready-made muesli. Vegetables: Beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, and parsley. Fruits: Bananas, cherries, and plums. Nuts: Cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, pine nuts, and walnuts.

Diagnosis Specialist dermatologists can typically diagnose nickel allergy based on the appearance of the skin and recent exposure to nickel-containing items.

If the cause of redness is unclear, dermatologists may recommend a patch test.

Generally, the LTT-Nickel test should be applied to diagnose nickel allergy. LTT, or Lymphocyte Transformation Test, is a specialized allergy diagnostic test that shows cellular allergic sensitivity and is more sensitive than conventional allergy tests.

The blood sample taken from the patient is isolated in a laboratory, and a cell culture is created. Later, nickel exposure is introduced, and the response of the patient’s live cells is measured.

For more information about nickel allergy tests, you can contact our laboratory.

Treatment There is no definitive and permanent cure for nickel allergy. Once a nickel allergy has developed, allergic reactions will occur every time the person comes into contact with metal. However, under the supervision of a specialist doctor, appropriate medications can be used to reduce irritation and the reactions of nickel allergy. Additionally, a nickel-reduced diet may be implemented under the guidance of a specialist dietitian to lower the intake of nickel from food.