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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
An allergic reaction is somewhat like a case of mistaken identity within your body's immune system. Normally, your immune system reacts to protect your body against bacteria, viruses or toxic substances.
If you have nickel allergy, your body reacts to nickel and possibly to other metals, such as cobalt and palladium. In other words, it's mistakenly identified nickel as something that could harm you. Once your body has developed a reaction to a particular agent (allergen) — in this case, nickel — your immune system will always be sensitive to it. That means anytime you come into contact with nickel, your immune system will respond and produce an allergic response.
Your immune system's sensitivity to nickel may develop after your first exposure or after repeated or prolonged exposure. Once you're sensitized to nickel, the immune reaction is generally faster each time you're exposed to the metal.
The cause of nickel allergy is unknown, but sensitivity to nickel may, in part, be inherited (genetic).
Sources of nickel exposure
Nickel allergy is most commonly associated with earrings and other jewelry for body piercings that contain some nickel. Common sources of nickel exposure include:
- Jewelry for body piercings
- Other jewelry, including rings, bracelets, necklaces and jewelry clasps
- Watchbands
- Clothing fasteners, such as zippers, snaps and bra hooks
- Belt buckles
- Hairpins
- Eyeglass frames
- Coins
- Kitchen utensils
- Paper clips
- Pens
- Keys
- Tools, such as hammers and screwdrivers
- Dental fillings
- Artificial body parts (prostheses), such as artificial heart valves
- Drinking water
- Alkaline batteries
- Cell phones
Nickel is also found in some foods, such as oatmeal, chocolate, nuts, beans and dried fruit. Nickel may also be found in canned foods. If you're allergic to nickel, ask your doctor if a low-nickel diet might be helpful.
- Schram SE, et al. Nickel hypersensitivity: A clinical review and call to action. International Journal of Dermatology. 2010;49:115.
- Beltrani VS. Contact dermatitis: A practice parameter. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2006;97:s1.
- Douglas JD. Allergic contact dermatitis: A focus on nickel. Dermatology Nursing. 2009;21:354.
- Tips to remember: Allergic skin conditions. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/allergicskinconditions.stm. Accessed June 13, 2010.
- Lu LK, et al. Prevention of nickel allergy: The case for regulation? Dermatology Clinic. 2009;27:155.
- Body art. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/bodyart/stateRegs.html. Accessed June 13, 2010.
- Tattoos and body piercings. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/media/background/factsheets/fact_tattoos.html. Accessed June 13, 2010.
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