A type of allergy that causes skin rash, itching, and dryness after exposure to nickel is called nickel allergy. This metal can be found in jewelry, clothing fasteners, household items, and certain foods. In most cases, the symptoms do not appear right away. Doctors often treat nickel allergy with medicines and light therapy. While this type of allergy is not dangerous, it is chronic (lifelong).
In other words, this is a type of contact dermatitis, and it happens when something that contains nickel touches your skin. Usually, people begin to experience symptoms within 72 hours after exposure to nickel.
What Items Contain Nickel?
Jewelry
- Earrings
- Rings
- Watchbands
- Clasps for jewelry (including earring backs)
- Necklaces
- Bracelets
Daily Use Items
- Keys
- Coins
- Chalk
- Razors
- Tech and accessories (including laptops, tablets, cell phones, and batteries)
- Paper clips
- Cooking equipment and eating utensils
Parts of Items
Nickel may also be present in parts of the following items. For example:
- Medical devices
- Metal tools
- Musical instruments
- Furniture
- Bathroom fixtures
- Machinery
Foods
There are some foods that may contain high levels of Nickel. Check some of them below:
- Beans and legumes
- Nuts
- Licorice
- Grains (including multigrain breads and cereals, oats, whole wheat, and buckwheat)
- Shellfish and seafood (such as clams, crawfish, mussels, and shrimp)
- Tea
- Soy products
- Fruits (such as raspberries, prunes, figs, and others)
- Chocolate and cocoa
- Vegetables (including leeks, peas, spinach, lettuce, kale, cabbage, and others)
Symptoms
The symptoms of this allergy are often different among people and can range from mild to severe. Most of the time, people have only a reaction on the part of the skin that is exposed to nickel. Check some common symptoms of nickel allergy below:
- Hives (bumpy skin)
- Cracked skin
- Itching or burning sensations
- Rash
- Red or discolored skin
- Patches of dry skin
However, some people with this type of allergy may experience more severe symptoms. In such cases, the condition is called systemic nickel allergy syndrome, and it may cause symptoms that negatively affect the entire body. For example:
If you or your child experiences any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes and Risk Factors
Healthcare providers do not fully understand why this type of allergy happens, but people develop it when the immune system sees nickel as something harmful. While some people develop this allergy after a single exposure to nickel, others may develop it after many exposures. Once it occurs, you will continue to have symptoms each time you come in contact with nickel.
However, doctors have identified some factors that may elevate your risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Piercings
- Occupational exposures (for example, a job that involves persistent contact with nickel)
- Sex – Females are more prone to nickel allergy because they wear more piercings and jewelry.
- Genetics – If you have a parent or sibling with nickel allergy, your risk of developing it significantly increases.
- Skin barrier damage (that is often caused by skin conditions, such as dermatitis or eczema)
- Eating foods high in nickel
- Environmental factors (such as stress, sweat, frequent handwashing, and others)
What Are The Long-term Effects of Nickel Allergy?
People with nickel allergy may also experience some complications, especially if they leave it untreated. Check some of them below:
- Intense dermatitis – It often causes persistent and severe itching, redness, and dry patches on the skin. Usually, it appears at contact sites, such as earlobes, wrists, and the lower abdominal area.
- Blisters and oozing
- Skin thickening – Long-term exposure to nickel may also lead to leathery and thickened skin (lichenification).
- An increased risk of infections (such as cellulitis)
- Respiratory symptoms – If you inhale nickel dust, it may lead to rhinitis, polyps, and even asthma.
This document does not contain a complete list of nickel allergy complications. However, you can consult with your healthcare professional about measures to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How to Prevent Nickel Allergy?
Your physician may recommend the following steps to reduce the risk or even prevent nickel allergy. Examples include:
- Do not eat nickel-rich foods
- Carefully check the product label before use
- Do not wear jewelry that contains nickel (you can choose jewelry made from copper, platinum, gold, sterling silver, or surgical-grade stainless steel)
- Get rid of all household items that contain nickel, including kitchen tools, keys, pots, pans, and razors. Instead, you can use products made from brass, silicone, stainless steel, and titanium.
- It is also recommended to use plastic belt buckles, bra hooks, buttons, snaps, and zippers
- Make sure your braces do not contain nickel before getting them
Diagnosis
First, doctors will perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the nickel allergy. Therefore, they may also ask some questions about family history of allergies, personal history of allergies, autoimmune disorders, and skin problems, medicines you administer, and new foods or supplements you use. When physicians suspect a nickel allergy, they perform an allergy test (also called a patch test). During this test, they will:
- Place small amounts of substances that cause allergic reactions (in such cases, nickel).
- These patches with allergic substances are placed on the skin on your back for about 48 hours.
- After 2 days, doctors will remove these patches to see whether you develop an allergic reaction.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this condition. That’s why the treatment goal is to relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Moreover, people with a mild form of nickel allergy often do not need treatment. People with moderate or severe nickel allergy often get a prescription for one or more of the following medicines. For example:
- Corticosteroid creams to reduce skin inflammation
- Nonsteroidal creams to ease itching or burning
- Oral antihistamines (this group of medicines is recommended to reduce itching)
- Oral corticosteroids – Physicians usually prescribe these medicines in severe cases or when a rash covers a large area of the body
When the previous medicines do not work, doctors may recommend light therapy (also called phototherapy). It involves ultraviolet (UV) light on the skin. In most cases, it takes months to notice improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I treat a nickel allergy at home?
There are some home remedies that doctors may recommend to relieve the symptoms of nickel allergy. These include:
- Moisturizing creams or lotions that help with dry and cracked skin
- Over-the-counter (OTC) steroid creams
- Oatmeal baths to ease itching
In any case, before using them, consult with your doctor.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Usually, it is recommended to see a doctor when the symptoms worsen or when treatment does not work. You should also visit a doctor right away if any of the cellulitis symptoms appear. For example:
- Pain
- Fever
- Skin discoloration
- Pus around the rash
- Rash around the eyes
What is the prognosis if I have a nickel allergy?
This is a lifelong type of allergy that, in most cases, is not life-threatening. You can control the symptoms with medicines and light therapy. However, doctors may also recommend avoiding items that contain nickel and making dietary changes. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
