Nickel allergy - practical advice and help

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Do I have a Nickel Allergy?

Symptoms of a nickel allergy arise from contact - usually repeated contact with items containing nickel.

Nickel allergy - common symptoms

The most common symptom is chronic itching - itch, itch, itch. The itching is often combined with a red rash, raised bumps and broken skin. Itchy red rash around your belt buckle? Itchy red rash around your watch? Itchy rash on your hands/fingers? Any of these could indicate a nickel allergy.

How to confirm a nickel allergy

Your dermatologist will be able to perform a patch test to confirm a nickel allergy a patch test contains a set of patches with soluble allergens coated onto a number of seperated patches and placed on a sticky backing sheet. Basically the patch test is placed on your skin (for example on your back) and then left there (possibly for a day or two). A severe reaction to one of the allergens will show up dramatically - often with a raised red itchy patch immediately beneath the test for that allergen. One of the advantages of a patch test is that multiple allergens can be tested together. Your dermatologist will know which patch test to choose - and he/she may use a second test if nothing shows up on the "common allergen" test. There are more detailed tests which carry a larger set of less common allergens and would normally be used if you don't show an allergic reaction to the first test. Ask your dermatologist for help and advice.

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