Written by Kait Matthes, PA-C
What do all of these things have in common? If you answered that they all contain nickel, you would be correct! Occasionally while doing a full body exam I will come across a patient who has a rash below their watch or even on the skin of their abdomen beneath where their belt rests. Often times the patient doesn’t realize that the cause of their long-standing rash is that of something that they wear daily – nickel. If this is something that you suffer from, whether or not you realize it, this article is for you.
I recently came across an article put out by the American Academy of Dermatology that provided ways to avoid and minimize the symptoms of nickel allergies. Here are some of the suggestions that they provided:
- Check to make sure that all jewelry is nickel-free and/or hypoallergenic. Metals that are 18, 22 or 24 karat yellow gold, pure sterling silver or platinum are best. For watches, choose bands that are leather, cloth or plastic.
- Trade belt buckles, bra hooks and metal buttons, zippers and snaps that contain nickel to those that are plastic or plastic-coated. Another tip is to put a layer or two of clear nail polish on them to act as a barrier between the skin and the metal.
- Use a protective case on devices such as ipads, computers and cell phones to prevent contact with the skin.
- Use titanium-coated stainless steel razors, silicone handles on pots and pans as well as titanium or plastic frames for your eyeglasses as these can all contain nickel.
- If you are known to have a very high sensitivity to nickel, it is also a good idea to avoid soy products, licorice, cocoa powder, clams, cashews, figs, and buck-wheat.
