Nickel? It’s a bit like parsley: you can find it everywhere! But that’s not good news. In fact, this metal present in the soil, in cosmetics and in jewelry, can trigger a rather annoying immune reaction and even (in a few cases and difficult to diagnose) insidious gastrointestinal disorders. It is women who suffer the most, because beyond the allergic predisposition, what makes the difference is the greater exposure to cosmetic products and costume jewelery.
To find out more, we asked for an explanation from doctor Filippo Fassio, surgeon specialist in Allergology and Immunology clinic in Florence.
What is nickel allergy?
“It’s a reaction of the immune system to nickel, a metal that is present everywhere since we find it in the soil. It is different from the classic ones (eg towards pollen or food) which are immediate and potentially dangerous because they can lead to anaphylactic shock. The nickel one is, in fact, one delayed immune reaction: annoying yes, but not dangerous. The diagnostic test is the patch test: a plaster with many substances, including nickel, applied to the back for 72 hours. Once removed, if there has been a reaction in the skin then we are in the presence of a contact sensitization ».
How does it manifest itself?
«In contact with costume jewelery, earrings, belt buckles, buttons, silver bracelets and so on, skin manifestations and eczema occur. Basically, you have an outlet with erythema, vesicles e itch, which can be superimposed on scratching lesions. However, it is necessary to see how much the metal is in contact with the skin: for example, the metal bra hook covered by the fabric usually does not bother.
Can it be hereditary?
“There may be a family predisposition, but one cannot speak of inheritance in the classical sense.”
Where can nickel be found?
«Any metal in contact with the skin may contain nickel: from silver to alloys, up to all metals, with some exceptions. The safe alternatives, with a negligible nickel component, are theyellow gold 975×1000, l’surgical grade steel and aluminum. White gold, on the other hand, could have a minimal amount and annoy those who are particularly sensitive. Nickel is also present in dyes for fabrics, especially in dark colors like black, blue, brown, purple and military green. So much so that, in case of sensitization, it is recommended to use cotton in light colors in the layers in contact with the skin. Finally, it is also found in cosmetics, personal hygiene products and detergents ».
How do I notice that the purchased product contains nickel?
«It is not present on the label among the components of the product, precisely because it cannot be added but is already found in the starting components. For example, in the presence of the extract of a certain plant within a cosmetic, nickel is present in the plant itself. Unless it is indicated on the product “tested for nickel”, with a presence below the minimum reactivity threshold “.
What solutions exist to contact awareness?
«Once the problem has been identified, first of all it is necessary avoid exposure to metal. The alternatives are cortisone creams to be applied locally and, when the lesions are multiple and widespread, antihistamines by mouth are also used. Obviously, everything must be followed by a doctor. Topical products and soothing creams, then, can help because they help reduce discomfort and therefore scratching and perhaps avoid the use of drugs “.
What is systemic nickel syndrome (Snas)?
“In addition to contact sensitization, nickel can also create systemic nickel syndrome (Snas). Given the presence of metal even in the soil, in fact, it means finding it in what we eat, be it vegetable or animal. And a small fraction of people who have nickel allergy may have it gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating, heaviness and meteorism. However, it is good to specify that not all those who have contact sensitization for nickel are also affected by Snas: in order of magnitude the number is about ten times less. This is not a classic allergy and therefore, as mentioned, there is no risk of anaphylactic shock. However, there is no test for SNAS, but a clinical evaluation with complex diagnostic protocols is used ».
What to do in case of Snas diagnosis?
«You follow a diet low in nickel, which however is not the same for everyone and varies according to the reactions. Since nickel is so widespread, a low-content diet involves a lot of resistance. For this, hydroponic crops can help which, being crops in water and not in the soil, have a very low or even zero nickel content. However, these crops are still not very widespread and with significantly higher costs than traditional crops ».
Opening photo: Adobe Stock
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