Common Symptoms for Nickel Allergy

Nickel is a silvery, white magnetic metal element which is a basic component of alloys. Materials with nickel component are widespread especially in industrialized and urban areas due to different structure developments and technology build-ups.

Nickel is one of the common etiologies of contact dermatitis or the so-called eczema. It is one of the external factors that exaggerate eczematic symptoms especially when the person is working in industrial areas and factories.

Nickel allergy entails direct skin contact to nickel or nickel-containing materials. The common sites for affectation are jewelry sites especially in the earlobes and fingers, the abdomen due to belt straps, and wrists due to watch straps. Furthermore, nickel in the diet also worsens the condition. Most of the canned foods that supply the instant diets of today contain a significant amount of nickel. Chocolate and cocoa drinks or cocoa at any form also contains nickel. Some vegetables like broccoli and beans may also cause allergic symptoms due to their nickel content.

Nickel Allergy Symptoms

In working areas, a person with nickel allergy should avoid touching paper clips and staple wires. Mobile phone components may also have nickel contents. Handbag handles, compact powders, and other accessory items like needle holders may also contain nickel. The kitchen may also be a rich storage of nickel with the knives, cupboards, metal pots, vacuum cleaners, bath plugs, faucet handles, plate racks, needles, and pins. Better alternatives if available are materials made of plastics. Stainless steel objects also cause allergies only when they are coated with nickel.

People already with a history of skin allergies may be the ones prone to nickel. Furthermore, a significant statistical result shows that women are the ones most vulnerable to nickel allergies compared to its prevalence in men.

Most common symptoms of nickel allergy starts from redness in affected sites. This redness further becomes elevated patches that cause severe itchiness and irritation. The pathophysiology of nickel allergy mostly contains the normal inflammatory process. The body tends to overreact to nickel due to the presence of IgE immunoglobulins.  After the initial contact to nickel, fluids with the some of the body’s defense factors invade on site. Vasodilation also allows increased blood supply to the site. When the site further becomes affected, blisters form. These blisters contain factors that tend to battle with the allergens and the allergens themselves.

A comprehensive heredofamilial disease assessment should be a priority when dealing with patients with nickel allergies. Environmental assessments should also be implemented since nickel is mainly an environmental factor.

When nickel allergy sites are irritated further, redness forms and may exaggerate itching episodes. Blisters sometimes form when allergy sites are scratched, injuring the affected tissue which is already fragile due to the altered states of the skin cells affected. When blisters form, compresses are mostly indicated. Antihistamines are also indicated orally, intravenously, or through topical applications or through emollient creams. These drugs may have adverse effects. Sleepiness is a very common side effect. When allergy is experienced, the site should always be kept clean and dry.

A very salient hypothesis in allergic etiologies greatly involves hygiene. Proper hand washing techniques should be practiced. Furthermore, contact to skin sites should be minimized. Scratching should be prohibited. Patients should also watch their diets, which should have low nickel contents. Foods best indicated for nickel allergies are sources of proteins to encourage tissue repair and proliferation. These foods would include fish, poultry, meat, milk products. Cereals and breads are also good for nickel-allergic persons. Vegetables with low nickel contents are also advisable along with fruits to boost up the body’s immune system against allergies.