Allergy > Understanding Allergy > Allergy Symptoms > Symptoms of Nickel Allergy
Symptoms of 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. Unknown to some people is that nickel also causes allergies when it comes in contact with the human skin.
Allergy is an immune system disorder. It is also called as “atopy”. The so-called allergic reactions take place when the human body is exposed to a harmless substance but treats it as a foreign, dangerous substance in the body. These harmless substances are also termed as allergens, which, mostly, are found in the environment. Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction of the body. It is also classified as Type 1, or immediate hypersensitivity. When the body is exposed to hypersensitivity, as that of nickel when it touches the skin, the mast cells and the basophils which are types of white blood cells are activated by Immunoglobulin E which is an antibody. Extreme inflammatory response then takes place in the site. Redness, elevation of the skin, itchiness, and sometimes even pain are felt by the person suffering from this kind of disease.
Nickel is one of the common etiologies of contact allergic 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. Eczema is an inflammatory and long term skin disease due to allergy and hypersensitivity. Nickel allergy is more or less characterized by cutaneous injuries that may include papules, pustules, macules, crusts and scales which may aggravate in a period of time.
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 because or earrings and rings, the abdomen due to belt straps, and wrists due to watch straps or bracelets, all materials nickel-based. 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. Some species of peas and most canned vegetables are also to be avoided since they contain significant amounts of nickel. Fruit cocktails and dried fruits are major culprits too.
People already with a history of skin allergies and those with hereditary disease of bronchial asthma may be the ones prone to nickel allergy. Furthermore, a significant statistical result shows that women are the ones most vulnerable to nickel allergies compared to men.
Most common symptoms of nickel allergy starts from redness in affected sites that came in contact with nickel-based or nickel-containing materials. This redness further becomes elevated patches that cause localized severe itchiness and irritation. The pathophysiology of nickel allergy mostly contains the normal inflammatory process and pathways. The body tends to overreact to nickel due to the presence of the antibody 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, especially in children. 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.
Jewelries of people with possible allergies to nickel should be hypoallergenic. Silver jewelries might be safe for those allergic persons who cannot resist jewelry props. Note that some gold products have nickel contents like the white gold. Even the plated nickel goods are not recommended.
Clothings with metal zippers, hooks, and buttons can be substituted with those utilized plastic materials inthem. Hair pins, glass frames, head bands may also contain nickel and these stuffs have a lot of plastic substitutes for allergic people to refrain from using them.
Money handling may also induce itchiness of the skin due to its cupro-nickel content. When a person is handling these materials often as a part or their job as of cashiers and bank people, they should wear gloves. Allergic persons who use typewriters, trodats, staplers, punchers, and other nickel based instruments in their jobs should also wear gloves.
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.
When nickel allergy is to be determined, dermatologists may do skin tests that will establish the type of allergy that the person is really suffering from. If specific hypersensitivity to nickel is not established, other tests will still be performed as per patient’s request. Dermatologists may also suggest and implement analysis of the blood for the presence of specific immunoglobulin Es against specific antigens such as nickel.
Treatment of nickel allergy may involve the use of topical antihistamines and steroids such as Hydrocortisone to decrease the inflammatory process and to ease local irritations. Oral antihistamines may also be given along with diet modifications. Some allergologist suggest about immunotherapy through gradual desensitization. Gradual desensitization exposes an affected person gradually to the allergen in increasing doses so as to make his or her body tolerate the allergen exposure. A nickel-testing kit may also be suggested by a dermatologist. It can be an over the counter product. The kit is comprised of two bottles with clear fluid. The first bottle contains dimethylglyoxime which when mixed with the content of the second bottle which is ammonium hydroxide in the presence of nickel, the solution will turn pink. |
