bigstock Woman Neck And Face With Skin 19949963 200x300 Allergies To NickelAllergies to nickel are generally caused by the use of jewelry and body piercing , but nickel is present in many commonly used items and accessories like watch bands, belts, eyeglass frames, buttons, snaps, zippers, coins and hair clips, to name a few.  It is believed that as much as 10% of the population may be affected by nickel allergic reactions.

Nickel is one of the most common substances that produce allergic contact dermatitis, a skin rash characterized by red, itchy bumps where the item was in contact with your skin. The rash, however, can appear anywhere in your body. Nickel allergy symptoms include:

  • Redness or Dark skin discoloration
  • Itchy and inflamed rash
  • Dry skin patches or cracked skin
  • Small skin bumps may become fluid-draining blisters
  • Infection if the skin condition is scratched and neglected

Treatment Of Contact Dermatitis

If you are looking for a nickel allergy cure, there is none.  Once you develop it you will always be allergic to nickel and should avoid any contact with the metal.  Your doctor may prescribe oral antihistamines to relieve the itching or corticosteroid ointment, however some people prefer to use natural treatments such as:

Aloe Vera Gel:  Many people get the gel straight from the plant by snipping off the mature leaves from the plant, slicing them lengthwise, scooping out the pulp and applying it to the affected areas.  Aloe vera is known for soothing skin ailments and relieving itching.  As an alternative many commercial aloe gel products are available.

Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA):  This compound is an herbal oil contained in evening primrose, borage, currant and hops.  People purchase these in capsule form and it’s taken orally.  GLA is approved for the treatment of eczema in Great Britain, however according to Dr. James A. Duke, Ph.D., GLA is also very effective in the treatment of other skin ailments, like dermatitis.

Avocado Oil:  Vitamins A, E and D are crucial for healthy skin and avocado oil is rich in these vitamins.  Dr. Duke recommends applying it to the affected areas as well as ingesting it by using it as salad dressing.

Cucumber:  This vegetable is well known for soothing dermatitis and burns.  Some people peel it, puree it in the blender and apply it to the affected area for 15 minutes to one hour.

Allergies to nickel are the second most common allergies causing contact dermatitis (the most common is poison ivy) and the allergy to the metal is caused by repeated exposure, additionally it helps if you have a relative who has a sensitivity.  So if this is you case, it is highly suggested that you avoid items that may contain it and to use instead:

  • Hypoallergenic or nickel-free jewelry
  • Plastic eyeglass frames
  • Plastic zippers, buttons or fasteners
  • nickel-free belts and accessories
  • If you are extremely sensitive to nickel avoid certain foods like chocolate and fish, which are known to contian nickel
  • Choose 14K jewelry, but 18K or pure sterling silver is better
  • Be aware that many other items may contain nickel:  keys, coins, tools, utensils and even musical instruments

Additionally if you discover a red itchy rash where your jewelry comes in contact with your skin, remove the jewelry immediately.  Since traces of nickel may remain on your fingers, it is best to wash your hands with soap and water to avoid spreading the nickel traces to other areas in your body.

 

Filed under: Allergy Natural Relief

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