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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere is no cure for nickel allergy. Once you develop a sensitivity to nickel, you will develop a rash (contact dermatitis) whenever you come into contact with the metal. Once an allergic reaction to nickel exposure has begun, it will most likely continue for two to four weeks.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications to reduce irritation and improve the condition of a rash from a nickel allergy reaction:
- Corticosteroid cream, such as clobetasol (Temovate, Cormax, others) and betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene)
- Oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, if the reaction is severe or a rash covers a large area
- Oral antihistamine, such as fexofenadine (Allegra) and cetirizine (Zyrtec), for relief of itching
- 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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