Nickel Allergy

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I'm curious--I've always had a major dermatitis reaction to nickel-containing metal, from earrings to necklaces to watches to metallic threads in blouses!

I had bought a blouse from the thrift store, washed it, and didn't see that the shoulder pads (this was a few years ago) were held by safety pins. I wore the blouse for three hours, and then had a skin reaction that kept getting worse over the next several days, even though I took the blouse off and didn't put it on again. I had to take benedryl AND put some major prescription cortisone glop on it to get it to quiet down.

I can wear my gold wedding ring and that's about it. At this point, even 14K gold earrings make me react.

Oh--not exactly on topic, but clothing labels drive me insane --I have to remove them.

Anybody else here have the same problem?

[frenchiemama]

I don't have a severe reaction like that to nickel, but I do react. I can't wear any kind of cheap jewelry, it gives me a rash. I also have dyshidrotic eczema on my hands. I can only wear 18k yellow gold for jewelry.

[Rusla]

I have the same type of reaction and so does my sister. Except so far her blood tests are negative but we know that is neither here nor there.

[StrongerToday]

I have to get nickel free earrings. I rarely wear other jewlery so I'm not sure how I'd react.

[kabowman]

For years I could only wear titanium earings (I bought my own hooks and changed everything out myself).

I can now wear the nickle free earling hooks - nothing with a back, I think they are just too closed up.

I found nickle free watches!!!! I had to quit wearing watches and have been looking for several years now and finally found some. Wal-Mart brand, only $10. I bought one to test and for 3 weeks now, no problems AT ALL!!!! I am going to go back and get another one just to have something else. There were 6 different ones.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Walmart? Really? Wowee! I've been wearing a Swatch watch,b ut they're so darn expensive, and the straps don't seem to last long. Thanks!!!!!!

[bunnyfluff]

Walmart? Really? Wowee! I've been wearing a Swatch watch,b ut they're so darn expensive, and the straps don't seem to last long. Thanks!!!!!!

Sorry, clicked too fast......fibro fog, ya know.

Anyway, not only problems with nickel earrings, but I finally made the connection to high nickel foods like soy, raspberries, lettuce and shrimp. I get terrible migraines from them, and have to eat them in rotation.

[Guest cassidy]

My mom has celiac and dh and she also has reactions to nickel. It is crazy how all this is related.

[Becky6]

I have not been able to wear nickel since I was a kid! I used to get a rash on my tummy when I was 10 and we finally figured out it was from my belt buckle that had nickel! I also started to get rashes on my feet and it was from nickel nails in the sole of my sandals!

[WGibs]

I react to nickel also. I don't have diagnosed DH, but I do get a rash when I eat gluten.

As a kid, it was always annoying to not get to wear the cheap jewelry. And yes, I had the mystery belly rash too -- took me a while to figure out it was my belt!

I'm not convinced it's related, though -- I know a ton of people who react to nickel.

[cultureslayer]

There's not a direct connection, but when you have a screwed up immune system you usually have more than one problem.

I'm one of the few that are allergic to chrome as well. I even react to cheap sterling that's been made on the same machines as nickel containing metals. I have to order wire from one of a very few pro jewler's supplies that have a dedicated sterling setup. If I get sterling wire from the local bead store and use it for earrings it's not good.

I have a Ti watch. Get a good one and you will love it. Mine's a Citizen I got off Ebay. I got a sterling anklet for my medical alert charm (if I got the whole thing as a combined engraved set no returns so I'm getting an anklet and a dangle charm) and so far so good. The medical charm will be either aluminum or plastic.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I was told by a dermatologist nearly 20 years ago that the genetic markers for nickel allergy, asthma, and arthritis were all on the same chromasome. Anyone want to guess where the genetic marker for celiac is?

[ladyx]

My son has never been able to wear any snaps...His snaps on all his pants make hi belly break out and it was so hard when he was a baby because everything has snaps...I tried to sew cloth over them they work for a little bit but if he sweats at all he starts to get a rash. Is nickle in those snaps or could it be something else?

[Kate123]

For years I could only wear titanium earings (I bought my own hooks and changed everything out myself)

Where did you get the titanium hooks and how did you change them out? I have had to give up wearing all earrings--I have tried everything except titanium. I would like to try titanium, I miss earrings!

[shai76]

I'm very allergic to nickel too. I have a titanium wedding band and I love it! It causes me no problems at all. I also wear a stainless steel allergy necklace, and it has not caused any reactions either.

[indyceliac]

nickel allergy here too.. even gold bothers me now..cant wear any earrings at all.

[Kate123]

I'm curious--I've always had a major dermatitis reaction to nickel-containing metal, from earrings to necklaces to watches to metallic threads in blouses!

Before I commit to a fusion surgery with a titanium plate and screws, I have been on a search to determine exactly which metals I am allergic to --- since I can no longer wear any earring no matter what metal or combination of metals. (I have never tried titanium though.)

In my search for titanium allergy information I found this product on the internet and I am wondering if anyone has tried it. I would love to wear my earrings again and it sounds too simple to be true---but I want to believe!! I'm curious, has anyone heard of the product listed in paragraph below:

Nickel Guard forms an invisible micro-bond with the metal to protect you from nickel contact. One easy application to your jewelry dries quickly and provides lasting protection. Nickel Guard is safe and easy to use and will not harm even your most valuable items. Nickel Solution gives you the freedom to wear the jewelry you treasure!

[darlindeb25]

WEll, I don't know if our nickel allergy is related to celiacs or not. Lots of people have a nickel allergy that aren't celiacs. I was really surprised to see that food contains nickel, don't know why I was surprised, just never thought about it. I have had a sensitivity to earrings with nickel for some years now. Now, I break out in a rash when I wear my underwire bras too and am trying to find plastic replacements for the wires. Rings never bother me, but watches do, very weird huh. Deb

[Lister]

i dont think its celiac related, but i too have a allergie to knickel its one of my only allergies, i break out in hives really bad if i wear a bad watch or something

[ravenwoodglass]

I have this allergy also. I also have DH. The allergy makes a great excuse to always buy top line jewelry

[Girl Ninja]

Me too. It's not very bad anymore, but it would cause sores when I was little.

[amybeth]

I have a senstitivity to nickel, also ---

just got my ears pierced and was concerned about finding only 14K gold posts or stainless steel posts......

the saleswoman suggested putting a thin coat of clear nail polish on the posts and then if there is any nickel in them, it would be like a sealant to protect my skin.

she indicated that she has done this for years to help with her nickel allergy and never had a problem.

interesting.

[skbird]

I react to earrings, but only ones of questionable metals. Silver, gold, the good stuff is fine. I get the excema on my hands sometimes, too, though can never figure what triggers it. I have good times and bad time with soy, don't like lettuce much (prefer spinach) and did get really sick after eating raspberries last summer, but thought it was because they might have been moldy. Hmmm. This is an interesting thread. Never reacted to underwire bras, or watches, though.

Stephanie

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I have a senstitivity to nickel, also ---

just got my ears pierced and was concerned about finding only 14K gold posts or stainless steel posts......

the saleswoman suggested putting a thin coat of clear nail polish on the posts and then if there is any nickel in them, it would be like a sealant to protect my skin.

she indicated that she has done this for years to help with her nickel allergy and never had a problem.

interesting.

I tried the clear nail polish on the back of my watch. It didn't work for me.

The reason I was wondering if it's related to celiac is that I was told it's related to asthma (?!), and it does seem like all these autoimmune things are related...

[indyceliac]

The clear nail polish didnt work for me either.

I think its all related... the celiac, multiple sensitivities, tendancy to develop other autoimmune diseases..

I have a senstitivity to nickel, also ---

just got my ears pierced and was concerned about finding only 14K gold posts or stainless steel posts......

the saleswoman suggested putting a thin coat of clear nail polish on the posts and then if there is any nickel in them, it would be like a sealant to protect my skin.

she indicated that she has done this for years to help with her nickel allergy and never had a problem.

interesting.