Can I test my jewelry for nickel before my skin does?

By Lea Dow on July 2, 2009 2:32 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (2)

If you have nickel allergy, you are probably all too familiar with gambling on whether a new watch/earrings will cause a rash....even if the jewelry is "hypo-allergenic".

Now there is a quick and easy way to test for nickel in jewelry before your skin tells you!  Nickel Alert is a nickel test kit for detecting nickel in watches, belt buckles, earrings and other metal items. 

Within 15 seconds, you can tell if your jewelry contains nickel.  Simply place a few drops of the solution onto a cotton swab and rub the metal area that will come in contact with your skin.  If the swab turns a pink/red color, you know nickel is present and to take protective measures. 

Nickel Alert is a ready-to-use dimethylglyoxime (dmg) spot test for nickel and works by picking up oxidized nickel ions.  The nickel test is pre-mixed and pre-measured for both accuracy and convenience.  This reduces mess and inaccurate test results. 

This nickel test is so sensitive that it detects nickel below the threshold of even the most severely nickel allergic individual.

Since the nickel test is quick, easy and safe to use, it is ideal to take with you on you next shopping trip to the mall.  Nickel Alert will not harm metal and can be used to test jewelry for nickel prior to purchasing. 

Save your money and your skin, order Nickel Alert-nickel test kit. 

Is Chocolate causing your hand eczema? It might be if you are nickel allergic!

By Lea Dow on June 24, 2009 3:05 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Link found between nickel from diet and hand eczema.

For many people nickel allergy means they have a difficult time wearing jewelry that contains nickel.  A rash would appear where their skin touches the metal unless they used Nickel Guard barrier.

Studies have found that certain foods which are high in nickel can cause problems for nickel allergic individuals.  The nickel ingested from the diet can contribute to systemic contact dermatitis (an all over body rash) and especially aggravate hand eczema (hand dermatitis). 

Everyone ingests nickel on a daily basis. Nickel is everywhere.  The amount of nickel ingested varies and depends on whether the food is grown in nickel-rich soil, whether the food is fresh or canned, the cooking utensils used and the amount of nickel in the water that is consumed.

Before giving up chocolate, contact a dermatologist or allergist specializing in contact dermatitis to see if a low nickel diet is recommended. 

Individuals who have severe nickel allergy and have hand eczema (hand dermatitis) may do well to reduce the following foods known to be high in nickel:

  • Almonds
  • Asparagus
  • Baking powder
  • Brown lentils
  • Beans
  • Cabbage
  • Canned foods
  • Chocolate
  • Corn
  • Food cooked with or in nickel-containing utensils
  • Hazelnuts
  • Herring
  • Licorice
  • Margarine
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Oysters
  • Peanuts
  • Pears
  • Peas
  • Raisins
  • Rhubarb
  • Spinach
  • Sprouts
  • Tea
  • Tomatoes
  • Walnuts
  • Whole meal flour

Nickel is also found in medications, vitamins and herbal remedies.  Further discussions to follow.

Cookware can tested to determine if it contains nickel.

 

CBS Healthwatch-Cell Phone Rash

By Lea Dow on June 3, 2009 9:59 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dr. Dennis Gross tests a cell phone with Nickel Alert.

Dennis Gross, MD renowned New York dermatologist speaks with Harry Smith from CBS's The Early Show about cell phone rash caused by nickel in phones.  Dr. Gross demonstrates how to test for nickel using Nickel Alert.

Nickel Alert is a ready to use dimethylglyoxime (dmg) spot test for nickel.  Nickel Alert is pre-mixed and pre-measured for both accuracy and convenience.  Nickel Alert quickly, easily and safely tests jewelry and other metal items like watches, jean snaps and cell phones to determine if nickel is present.

Cell Phone Dermatitis--nickel allergy goes beyond costume jewelry!

By Lea Dow on May 28, 2009 7:42 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Who would have thought that your cell phone could give you a rash!

People who are allergic to nickel may have a difficult time with trendier cell phones.    A clinical study shows that more fashionable cell phones often contain nickel in the metallic accents. After using these cell phones, a rash (dermatitis) appears on the face and ear where nickel makes contact with the skin.

When possible, nickel sensitive individuals should test cell phones for nickel using a dimethylglyoxime (dmg spot) test before purchasing a phone or if nickel is suspected.  Test any metal on a cell phone, especially, logos, menu buttons and around LCD screens.

If your mobile phone tests positive for nickel, there are possible several solutions.  Ear buds, headsets or a speaker phone can be used in addition to a plastic cover or simply coat the non-moving part with Nickel Guard to provide a barrier from the nickel.

If you test and identify nickel in your phone, let us know and we will posit it here and update the list of phones which contain nickel.  Include the brand, model # and where the nickel was found. 

New, Updated Website for Athena Allergy-The Nickel Allergy Experts

By Lea Dow on May 27, 2009 6:48 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Athena Allergy, the experts in nickel allergy, has launched a new, expanded website.  This comprehensive website covers topics which directly impact daily life for nickel allergy sufferers.

  Some of the topics include:

An exciting feature of the new site is an area called Nickel Allergy News.  This area provides up to date information on nickel allergy from around the world.  The first news item featured is Cell Phone Dermatitis.  The page includes a list of cell phones which tested positive for nickel.

The updated site also features an easier to use check out area with multiple payment options including Google Checkout and Paypal.  Athena Allergy now offers refills for Nickel Alert and Nickel Guard in addition to the complete kit, Nickel Solution.

Your comments and ideas for new nickel allergy articles are welcome. 

Nickel Named 2008 Contact Allergen of the Year

By Lea Dow on June 3, 2008 7:11 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

The American Contact Dermatitis Society has named nickel the Allergen of the Year for 2008.  In a recent article written by Kathryn Zug, MD and Rachel Kornick, MD of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH they cited "...the rising incidence of nickel allergy in the United States and elsewhere, high nickel sensitization rates documented in children, and a resurgent issue of biomedical device complication (specifically, nickel allergy) due to metal, to dismiss nickel's importance and relevance to public health and skin disease would be a mistake."

Kornick R, Zug KA. Nickel. Dermatitis 2008; 19:3-8

Study Finds Nearly One-Third of All Inexpensive Earrings Examined Tested Positive for Nickel

By Lea Dow on May 13, 2008 11:46 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1) 

Dermatologists offer tips to avoid nickel-induced dermatitis

    SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- For the estimated 82 percent
of women with pierced ears, earrings are an important fashion accessory
that many women wear, and change, daily. However, a new study suggests that
women may be getting more than they bargained for when purchasing
inexpensive earrings. Nickel exposure from these earrings is a common cause
of dermatitis on the earlobes and repeated exposure can make treatment
difficult.

    In the report entitled, "Nickel release from earrings purchased in the
United States: The San Francisco earring study," published online in the
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologist Howard I.
Maibach, MD, FAAD, professor of dermatology at the University of
California, San Francisco, presented evidence that nickel exposure from
inexpensive earrings purchased from various stores and vendors is frequent
in the United States and does not correlate with the price of the earrings
within the "inexpensive" price range.

    "Sensitization to nickel is quite common in the United States, with
studies estimating that 5.8 percent of American adults tested positive to
nickel allergy through a routine skin test," said Dr. Maibach. "In the
early 1990s, the European Union Nickel Directive was passed in an effort to
decrease the prevalence of nickel sensitization in consumer and
occupational products in Europe, with results indicating the directive is
working. However, no such regulations exist in the United States to limit
nickel exposure -- leaving millions of people at risk for dermatitis from
common goods, such as earrings."

    For the study, Dr. Maibach and his collaborator, Jacob Pontoppidan
Thyssen, MD, purchased inexpensive earrings from 34 different stores and
artists in San Francisco in October 2007. Inexpensive earrings were
classified as those under $50; in contrast, expensive earrings were
classified as those made of gold or platinum available from fine jewelry
stores. A total of 277 earrings were purchased from four different
categories of vendors -- a downtown market with licensed local artists
producing custom-made jewelry; jewelry stores in China Town targeting
mainly tourists; national and international clothing and accessory chain
stores targeting mainly girls and women under age 40; and similar stores
targeting mainly women over age 40.

    All earrings purchased were examined with the dimethylglyoxime (DMG)
test -- a routine spot test using solutions to detect the presence of
nickel and other alloys. Of the 277 earrings that were tested, 85 (or 30.7
percent) demonstrated at least one spot that tested DMG-positive for
nickel. Dr. Maibach noted that the highest proportion of DMG-positive
earrings was purchased from local artists, with 69 percent of these
earrings testing positive for nickel. A large portion (42.9 percent) of
earrings purchased from stores in China Town also tested positive for
nickel.

    When the number of DMG-positive earrings was examined from accessory
and clothing stores targeting younger women under age 40 and those stores
targeting women over age 40, Dr. Maibach found a large discrepancy.
Specifically, 24.1 percent of the earrings purchased at the stores
targeting younger women tested positive for nickel; whereas only 1.7
percent of earrings from stores targeting women over 40 tested DMG
positive.

    "Except for one store targeting girls and young women where a
significant number of DMG-positive earrings were found, the proportion of
earrings that tested positive for nickel was generally higher among
individual China Town stores and local artists than in individual national
and international chain stores," said Dr. Maibach. "We also found no
correlation between the country where the earrings were manufactured and
the frequency of DMG-positive reactions or whether the price of the
inexpensive earrings correlated with testing positive for nickel exposure."

    Dr. Maibach added that in one accessory store, none of the 44 earrings
priced between $5 and $8 were DMG positive, whereas numerous earrings
priced between $15 and $25 in another accessory store were DMG positive.

    "From our findings, we could not establish a 'safe-limit price' as a
guide for consumers who want to avoid excessive nickel exposure when
purchasing inexpensive earrings," said Dr. Maibach. "But it's safe to say
that young customers purchasing earrings at a considerable price range in
U.S. chain stores are potentially at risk of nickel exposure and
sensitization."

    Studies show that nickel sensitization increases the risk of hand
eczema, but Dr. Maibach argued that avoiding nickel -- which is found
almost everywhere -- can be difficult. He acknowledged that there are some
patients with nickel dermatitis who refuse to give up their jewelry, even
when they know it is the cause of their condition. Since the best way to
avoid nickel sensitization and subsequent dermatitis is to prevent nickel
exposure, Dr. Maibach suggested the following tips:


    -- Look for jewelry and clothing labeled "nickel-free" or "hypoallergenic"
    -- Wear only stainless steel, platinum or gold jewelry if you know you are
       allergic to nickel
    -- Discontinue wearing jewelry that causes any noticeable skin irritation,
       such as redness or itching
    -- Use 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment, which can be purchased
       over-the-counter, to treat nickel-induced dermatitis
    -- See your dermatologist if symptoms worsen or do not improve within
       three to five days of not wearing jewelry

    Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology
(Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most
representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more
than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing
the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin,
hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education,
and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for
a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact
the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or http://www.aad.org.
SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology

Nickel allergy and the big day

By Lea Dow on April 24, 2008 3:18 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Proms, graduations, weddings, and Mother's Day-what do they all have in common? Beautiful jewelry and nickel allergy!

If you ever heard the phase "I can't wear cheap jewelry because I get a rash" that person probably has nickel allergy.  A rash develops after contact with metal containing nickel and may have the following characteristic(s): redness, itching, swelling, hives, and/or cracks.  The most common sites for nickel allergy are the earlobes, neck and wrist where metal touches the skin.  In children, one of the most common signs of nickel allergy is a rash on the central abdomen from snaps, buttons, jean studs and belt buckles.

Nickel allergy is the most common cause of contact dermatitis in the industrial world, particularly affecting females.  36% of girls under the age of 18 years are nickel allergic.*

During the spring and summer, special events like the prom, weddings, graduation and Mother's Day lend themselves to purchasing new jewelry for the big event.  What should you do if you are nickel allergic?

First, know that nickel is frequently used in metal and metal plated objects including gold because it is inexpensive, durable and lustrous.

Second, there are no federal standards of definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic" or nickel free.  Nickel free may mean that only the top plating is nickel free, but the base metal contains nickel.  Eventually, the plating will wear thin and cause a reaction.

Third, gold (yellow and white), silver, sterling silver, silver plate, palladium, chrome and cobalt often contain nickel.

When just the perfect necklace or earrings are found for the special day take these simple steps to ensure there are no ugly and uncomfortable rashes for the event.

  • The key to avoiding nickel is to identify it BEFORE your skin does.  All metal items suspected of containing nickel may be EASILY tested with a dimethylglyoxime test called Nickel Alert.  Within seconds, Nickel Alert will detect even trace amounts of nickel.
  • If nickel is detected, avoid generic nail polishes to coat the metal; they often contain toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate which can lead to further sensitization for nickel allergic individuals.  A safe alternative is Nickel Guard.  Nickel Guard is a clinically proven clear coating that successfully prevents exposure to nickel. It allows an individual to wear any type of jewelry of metal without triggering a reaction.

Fur further information about nickel allergy or to order Nickel Alert/Nickel Guard visit www.nickelsolution.com.

*Kornick R, Zug KA. Nickel. Dermatitis 2008; 19:3-8

Soaring Gold Prices Likely to Spur Nickel Allergy

By Lea Dow on January 15, 2008 2:59 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thumbnail image for nickel allergy on neck.jpgAs gold prices soar past $900 per ounce, consumers will be looking for more affordable jewelry. Quality gold jewelry will be replaced with more affordable gold plate which often contains nickel used either as a base metal or filler.  Jewelry manufacturers use nickel because it is inexpensive while adding luster and durability to jewelry.

Increased exposure to nickel is likely to cause a surge in nickel allergy.  Nickel allergy is a form of allergic contact dermatitis affecting over 15% of U.S. women.  Nickel salts from the jewelry penetrate the skin and cause sensitization.  Once an individual is sensitized to nickel, symptoms such as a red, itchy rash will develop after further contact with nickel.  The most typical locations for nickel allergy are earlobes, neck, and wrist where jewelry touches the skin.   There is no cure for nickel allergy.

Dermatologists and allergists recommend using a dimethylglyoxime test (dmg spot test) to quickly and easily test for nickel in metal items.  In seconds, the test will determine if nickel is present in the metal.  The test does not damage the metal item.

 

 

Mystery Rash May Be Nickel Allergy

By Lea Dow on November 2, 2007 2:55 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Chemical Sensitivity Can Arise Suddenly and Cause Misery

 

Special from Bottom Line's Daily Health News

  Bottom Line nickel allergy nickel solution.gif

 

An allergy to nickel can arise seemingly out of nowhere. In my neighbor's case, it was a watch she had loved and worn often for years. Her wrist and arm got red and itchy and started to blister. She thought it was poison ivy, which she was also allergic to, yet her conventional treatments didn't work. It wasn't until a friend mentioned nickel as a possible cause that she tried not wearing the watch -- and the mystery rash abated. She had to retire the watch to her jewelry box and is now careful to avoid all nickel-containing substances. Other people have far worse cases -- rashes that spread and take a longer time to subside. For details on nickel allergy -- why it has become so much more common and what can be done about it, I spoke with Audrey Kunin, MD, the founder and president of DERMAdoctor (www.dermadoctor.com) and coauthor of The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual (Simon & Schuster).

 

WHY IS NICKEL ALLERGY GETTING MORE COMMON?

 

Nickel allergy is one of the 10 most common causes of "allergic contact dermatitis" (inflammation, redness and itching brought on by direct contact with an allergen) and more and more people are developing it. Costume jewelry is often made with nickel, but it can be found in pricy gold and silver as well, notes Dr. Kunin. It can be difficult to avoid nickel because you don't always know where it may be lurking -- I'll provide more information on that in a minute.

 

Nickel allergies vary widely from one person to the next. Reactions may develop after an initial exposure but more commonly (as for my neighbor) after prolonged or repeated exposure to nickel. Once the sensitivity has developed, people may experience tingling and itching within minutes of contact with nickel, followed by a rash in the area a day or two later. Bumps and blistering may also develop.

 

Dr. Kunin says the reason behind the dramatic increase in the number of people with nickel allergy is that piercing -- ears, noses, belly buttons and what-have-you -- has become so popular. In one study, only 1% of schoolgirls who had no piercings had nickel allergies... while 13% of those with piercings had developed a nickel allergy. It even arises among the very traditional women who just pierce their ears, one hole on each side, since the allergy is triggered by nickel in the piercing-post. Though the sensitivity can develop from other sources, nickel allergies more easily arise with a fresh piercing because the open wound allows the metal to leach directly into the bloodstream over the several days it takes to heal, says Dr. Kunin. Though nickel allergies affect more women (as many as 15% to 30%, by some estimates) than men, it's not just a girl thing -- men get it too. Plus, Dr. Kunin says, some people who are allergic to nickel will also react to chromium and cobalt dyes (green and blue dyes) commonly used in tattoo ink.

 

NOT SO EASY TO AVOID NICKEL

 

While there's no cure for nickel allergy, most cases are fairly mild and the best strategy is simply to avoid contact. Here is a list of items that commonly include nickel...

 

·                     Costume jewelry (rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.)

·                     Belt buckles

·                     Zippers, snaps, clasps and other clothing fasteners

·                     Watchbands

·                     Eyeglass frames

·                     Buttons

·                     Paper clips

·                     Pens

·                     Keys

·                     Tools

·                     Coins

·                     Certain eye creams

·                     Cigarette smoke

 

Orthodontia are not usually problematic, though in extremely rare cases sensitive people may react to nickel in stainless steel wires and brackets used in dentistry, says Dr. Kunin. She reassured me, though, that dental fillings, surgical staples, wires and orthopedic implants are not on the list of potential nickel allergy culprits. Since such allergies can worsen, sometimes (though only very rarely) leading to anaphylactoid reaction, people who are nickel-allergic should make sure their physician is aware of the problem prior to any treatment or procedure.

 

WHEN NICKEL ALLERGY IS SEVERE

 

A very small percentage of people who are nickel-allergic suffer from a severe form in which they may develop not only a local reaction, but a painful and itchy rash over most of the body. Some benefit from adhering to a nickel-free diet, says Dr. Kunin. Foods that contain nickel include....

 

·                     Chocolate

·                     Potatoes

·                     Salmon

·                     Nuts and legumes

·                     Canned fruits and vegetables

 

Tap water can also contain nickel, according to Dr. Kunin, but for the average individual who is allergic to nickel, this should not pose a problem. However since nickel levels are higher in hot water than in cold, terribly sensitive people should keep temperatures moderate for showering and bathing, she notes, because in theory they could react to it. Running the water for five minutes to flush out impurities (the source of the nickel comes from the plumbing) may also help.

 

MORE HELPFUL TIPS

 

Here are some other ideas that might be of use to people with nickel allergy...

 

·                     A helpful product to have on hand is Nickel Solution Detect & Protect ($25), which is a kit that includes both a product to detect nickel and a product that creates a barrier between jewelry and skin. DERMAdoctor carries it, as do some specialty drugstores. You can also search for allergy products on-line.

 

·                     Avoid nickel pierced jewelry! Use hypoallergenic, stainless steel, medical titanium or medical plastic backs. For posts, Blomdahl Medical carries titanium and medical plastic versions that are ideal for anyone with this concern.

 

·                     To salvage jewelry that is valuable to you, even if only because of a sentimental connection, consider having it professionally electroplated with gold. This will keep nickel particles from coming into direct contact with your skin. Electroplating deposits a very thin coating of a very pure form of gold to help provide a barrier against the nickel particles. Be aware, however, they remain present deeper in the jewelry... and the electroplating will eventually wear away and need to be redone.

 

·                     Keep cool and dry, especially those parts of your body that come into contact with metal. Perspiration can aggravate nickel contact dermatitis by leaching nickel particles from metal.

 

According to Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, it can be helpful to consult with an ND or other qualified professional who uses natural medicine to improve resistance to the challenge of certain metal exposures, including nickel. The sooner the better though, as the sensitivity increases and the reactions become more severe, the problem gets harder to treat. Typical strategies might include use of antioxidants (with vitamins A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium)... omega-3 supplementation... and avoiding fried foods and foods containing trans fats, all of which can reduce the intensity and frequency of reactions by increasing tissue concentration of natural anti-inflammatory substances.

 

As with all allergies, the best solution is to do all you can to avoid what brings on symptoms. For most people with nickel allergy, that's easy -- as much as you may like the jewelry, the rash that accompanies it is both ugly and uncomfortable. That's a higher price than anyone ought to pay for adornment.

First Printed: October 18, 2007

 

Audrey Kunin, MD, the founder and president of DERMAdoctor, and coauthor of The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual (Simon & Schuster). Visit her Web site at www.dermadoctor.com.

 

Reprinted with the permission of:
Bottom Line/Daily Health News
Boardroom, Inc.
281 Tresser Blvd., 8th Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
www.BottomLineSecrets.com

 

For more information about nickel allergy or Nickel Solution visit www.athenaallergy.com

 

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