Recently in Certified Nickel Free Category

Recently we've been hearing that some of these band members are being diagnosed with nickel allergy resulting in a huge impact in their ability to play their metallic instruments that contain nickel. 

The students, band teachers, and parents should be aware that while this is a growing problem, professional musicians have long considered allergic contact dermatitis an occupational hazard. Brass, woodwinds, and string instruments may all contain nickel.  The pressure, friction, and moisture related to sweat and saliva make nickel allergy symptoms worse.  When you add in the warmer temperatures of May and the fact that some of these concerts are held outside, you can have real problems!

Those problems are uncomfortable nickel allergy symptoms such as red rashes, bumps on the skin, moderate to severe itching, swelling, blisters, or crusting skin.  These symptoms are generally isolated to the area in contact with nickel.

In addition to the obvious concerns where metal touches a person's hands and lips, some guitarists are allergic to the nickel found in their guitar strings and violinists find their metal chin rest creates allergy symptoms.  Wherever there is nickel, there can be problems.

Diagnosing nickel allergy at an early age may actually be a benefit as there are answers available to help control the symptoms.  A visit to a dermatologist or an allergist should be the first line of defense.  Once  nickel allergy is confirmed, there are remedies for these musicians. Band instruments and other metals should be tested for the presence of nickel.  Minute concentrations of nickel can be easily detected by using Nickel Alert™ from NoNickel.com.  This product can show a positive nickel result in seconds and is safe to use on any band equipment.

Once the source of the problem has been identified, there are other resolutions.  Acoustic guitarists may select from bronze, copper, or nylon strings that should not cause allergic reactions.  Plastic mouthpieces are available for woodwind and brass instruments.  In some cases, wearing gloves may prevent an allergic reaction.

It seems that nickel allergies remain for life, so learning about this problem now can help these young people forestall future days of discomfort.  We at NoNickel.com are nickel allergy experts and want to help people find ways to protect themselves from nickel allergy.  We offer current information along with certified nickel free products on our website.  If musical instruments are causing problems, it is likely that earrings and belt buckles are doing the same.  We have some beautiful nickel free earrings along with nickel free belts and belt buckles for children, teens, and adults.  If there are favorite jewelry items that can't be discarded, we also offer a nickel barrier, Nickel Guard™ that will safely protect skin from nickel contact.  We are here to help!

With Mother's Day coming up on May 13^th, we enjoy the memories of special times with the exceptional women who have had a lasting and positive influence in our lives.  It's our chance to show our appreciation to them for being there for us; their sacrifices, wisdom, advice, and unconditional love that helped make us who we are today.

As we get older, we begin to see these praiseworthy paradigms as individuals, not just as our mom, aunt, or friend. A good start would be recognizing that she may be allergic to that fabulous jewelry found just for her. This Mother's Day, show the celebrated lady ways to avoid those miserable nickel allergy symptoms that come with wearing certain earrings, watches, or belt buckles. 

Maybe that fabulous jewelry is labeled "hypoallergenic" or "for sensitive skin", so it's a safe bet, right?  Maybe not.  In the US, these terms mean little as there is no standard being regulated by the government.  These labels may mean absolutely nothing, or they may refer to the coating of a nickel free overlay that will erode over time allowing the nickel in the base metal to come in contact with the skin.  It seems to us that these meaningless terms have discouraged the nickel allergic population to the point of giving up on wearing jewelry to avoid those telltale red, itchy rashes.

To restore the faith of those with nickel allergy, we created Certified Nickel Free™ products.  We test every one of our products to assure they are completely free of nickel and we guarantee them to never test positive for nickel.  Certified nickel free refers to the base metal and any overlay.  We understand nickel allergy and want to be a resource for those suffering with this problem.

Our nickel free jewelry line includes classic sterling silver earrings, stunning handmade nickel free earrings, many featuring Swarovski crystals, nickel free watches, and rings. We also offer nickel free belts and nickel free belt buckles.

Back to that fabulous jewelry - two suggestions:  safely and easily test for nickel using Nickel Alert™. If there is a positive test, protect Mom's skin by using Nickel Guard™, a lacquer designed to bond with the metal to create a protective coating. Another idea?  Keep that fabulous jewelry for yourself and buy Mom beautiful handcrafted, unique, and certified nickel free jewelry offered at NoNickel.com.

Celebrate your special loved ones in every way possible this Mother's Day!

If you have an allergy to metals like nickel allergy, you might be at a loss as to which metal is safe to use for personal accessories.  NoNickel can help with finding the correct nickel free belt, buckle, watch, ring etc. But what metal is safe for hip replacements and endovascular stents? 

Titanium has long been thought of by physicians as a "safe" metal.  According to Fisher's Contact Dermatitis Book, "Documented allergy to titanium is exceedingly rare, so if tests to other metals are positive titanium is as safe an alternative as possible."

Personal Accessories 
For personal accessories, titanium is a great choice if you have multiple metal allergies or are unsure of the specific metal/alloy you are allergic.  Titanium is extremely strong and incredibly lightweight. Pure titanium is as strong as many forms of steel, and 45% lighter!   

Titanium can be polished to a luster and is corrosion-resistant--perfect for eye glass frames, belts, buckles, watches and rings.  

There are at least 50 grades of titanium.   Titanium is often alloyed with iron, aluminum, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel, among other elements, to produce strong lightweight alloys for aerospace, military, industrial, automotive, and medical industries.  

Nickel Smart™ Titanium products are not alloyed with nickel! 

Bio Medical Devices 
A favored titanium alloy in the medical field is the combination of nickel and titanium because of the strength and great shape memory properties the alloy has.  For example, orthodontic wires and endovascular stents are often made with the ni-ti alloy.  Although, extremely rare, some individuals may react to the metals used bio-medical devices such as nickel.  Current data suggests a metal allergy may increase the risk of stent restenosis. 

What should you do?

1. Be pro-active! Tell all your health care providers that you have or suspect a nickel or metal allergy.
2. Dermatologists or allergists specialized in patch testing can diagnosis what specific metal(s) you are allergic to. 
3. Alternatives are available for most devices including the nickel-titanium alloys.
4. When a procedure is required, verify that the metal(s) you are allergic to are not in the device being implanted especially if an alloy is being used.
5. Remember a reaction is extremely rare, but be proactive.

 Titanium was discovered in England in 1771 and named for the Titans of Greek mythology.

Copyright © 2003-2010 Athena Allergy Inc. All rights reserved.

Wow, what a busy year!  It is hard to believe it has been a whole year since the acquistion of NoNickel.com. Besides expanding the product line and the typical improvements to the site to make shopping easier and quicker, the most important thing we did this year was to set the standard for Nickel Free!

Our goal was simple, improve and expand the product line.  Achieving our goal proved most difficult.  

After contacting more than 20 manufactures, we quickly learned they were not all trustworthy.  Nickel-free plating over nickel laden base metal was standard industry practice. Prototype belts were designed, ordered, and then tested.  Most tested positive immediately, while others a gentle scrape revealed nickel.  This process was frustrating and expensive.   

We knew then a standard for nickel free was needed and we were going to set it, certify it and guarantee it!  That is how the Nickel Smart™ brand was born and Certified Nickel Free™  the new standard of excellence established.  

We at Athena Allergy have always been the experts in nickel allergy, now we have leveraged that knowledge to bring you the first brand Nickel Smart™  all Certified Nickel Free. 

Our guarantee is simple: If you ever have a problem with our products, whether incorrect size or broken buckle, we will make it right - Period.