Nickel, not always that beautiful...
Nickel is a silvery-white metal that can be found in nature. It is usually mixed with other metals to produce alloys. For example, nickel-iron, which is used to manufacture stainless steel, is the most common nickel alloy. Other nickel alloys are used to make coins, costume jewelry (i.e., earrings, watchbands, rings, necklaces, necklace clasps, bracelets), bra or girdle fasteners, zippers, snaps, buttons, suspender clips, hair-pins, studs, eyeglass frames, pens, handles, utensils, paper clips, keys, and tools. Nickel is tightly bound up is stainless steel, especially surgical stainless steel. As one can see, nickel is found in many common, everyday items. Although one may be exposed to nickel in the workplace environment (if working with nickel, or live near industries using nickel), it is much more likely for the general population to come into contact with nickel through direct skin contact. This is important because nickel appears to be a very common cause of allergic skin rashes, with nickel allergy being more common among women than men. Apparently, ear piercing (and probably any body piercing, in general), which women are more likely to do than men (although this has been changing), has put susceptible individuals at greater risk of becoming more easily sensitized to nickel.
A nickel allergy is a reaction that develops after initial and/or brief, or repeated and/or prolonged, exposure to nickel or nickel-containing items, depending on the individual's susceptibility. Degree of reaction also varies by person. Specifically, nickel allergy is a contact allergy, which is an allergic skin reaction in response to being exposed to a contact allergen or irritant, such as nickel. A nickel allergy can occur at any age, and typically manifests a few days after first contact as eczema (allergic contact dermatitis), which appears as an itchy, dry/crusty, and red/pigmented skin rash with watery blisters. The affected area is usually restricted to the site of contact, although it could also be found on other parts of the body. Once a nickel allergy has developed, it is usually a chronic condition, often being life-long.
One can be tested for nickel allergy by going to a dermatologist for patch testing. Patch tests are safe skin test procedures, which involve the direct application of tiny quantities of several suspected contact allergens, to the skin of the upper back using hypoallergenic tape. The concentrations of these allergens are low so that they won't cause irritation or reactions in read more
