Nickel Allergy Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Nickel Allergy ?

It is amongst the common reasons of allergic contact dermatitis, a skin condition characterized by an itchy rash that develops when the skin touches a safe substance.

In addition to this, the specific allergy is linked with jewelry that contain nickel, such as earring and jewelry used for body piercing. Besides, several day to day items also contain nickel, for example eyeglass frames, cell phones and coins. Any individual regardless of his or her age group can develop nickel allergy. Normally, it develops after frequent exposure to the specific objects that contain nickel.

Moreover, treatment can help ease its symptoms. Though, developing the symptoms of nickel allergy for once indicates that you will remain allergic to the specific metal, and thus needs to prevent it in the future.

What Are The Symptoms Of Nickel Allergy ?

An individual with nickel allergy develops a reaction within a day or two after being exposed to an item that contains nickel. Symptoms can persist for 3-4 weeks, whereas not merely the part of skin that came in contact with the metal develops signs of contact dermatitis, but they can appear on any part of the body’s skin.

Common symptoms of nickel allergy are:

Redness, itching and bumps or rash on your skin.
Dry skin patches. These may seem like a burned skin.
Blisters that may drain fluid (intense cases).

What Causes Nickel Allergy ?

Basically, an allergic reaction tends to occur due to the abnormal response of the immune system. In the normal course of action, the immune system acts to defend our body against harmful substances. In case of having nickel allergy, the immune system recognizes the metal as harmful, and therefore acts to defend the body against the ‘perceived’ danger, developing symptoms of nickel allergy. Even though, what causes the immune system to act in such a manner is unknown till date, yet the sensitivity to the metal, in some way or the other, can be inherited.

Sources of exposure tend to include:

Coins.
Belt buckles.
Jewelry that is used for body piercing.
Watchbands.
Other jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets and rings.
Eyeglass frames.
Cell phones.
Keys.
Metal tools.

How Is Nickel Allergy Diagnosis ?

The health care provider can detect nickel allergy on the basis of the following factors:

Recent exposure to any object that contain nickel.
Appearance of the skin.

In case the cause of the skin appearance tends to remain unclear, the doctor can suggest a patch test.

How Is Nickel Allergy Treatment ?

Nickel allergy is incurable, that is, it does not resolve. A person with the sensitivity to the metal tends to develop its symptom whenever being exposed to it. The skin area that reacted to the metal once can react more intensely after getting exposed to it again. Following are used to improve the skin condition and ease irritation, caused by the allergic response: