Nickel Allergy

Nickel allergy is a skin rash or irritation that occurs when you come into contact with nickel. This condition is a form of allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis happens when your skin touches or comes near an ordinarily harmless substance. Nickel allergy is the most common type of contact dermatitis related to metal.

The skin rash from nickel allergy may be itchy or painful. Allergic contact dermatitis causes delayed reactions, so your symptoms may not appear for up to 72 hours after nickel exposure.

Nickel allergy can develop at any time. Once you have a nickel allergy, it never goes away. But you can treat it by avoiding nickel or using medications.

What items contain nickel?

Nickel is a metal commonly found in jewelry, like:

• Bracelets
• Clasps for jewelry, including earring backs
• Earrings
• Necklaces
• Rings
• Watchbands

Nickel can also be in other items you wear, like:

• Clothing fasteners like belt buckles, bra hooks, buttons, snaps and zippers
• Dental braces
• Eyeglasses

Nickel may also be inside items you use every day, such as:

• Chalk
• Coins
• Cooking equipment and eating utensils
• Keys
• Paper clips
• Razors
• Tech and accessories, like laptops, tablets, cell phones and batteries

Nickel also makes up parts of items inside:

• Bathroom fixtures
• Furniture
• Machinery
• Medical devices
• Metal tools
• Musical instruments

High levels of nickel can also be present in foods, including:

• Beans and legumes
• Chocolate and cocoa
• Fruits, including figs, prunes and raspberries
• Grains, including buckwheat, multigrain breads and cereals, oats and whole wheat
• Licorice
• Nuts
• Shellfish and seafood, including clams, crawfish, mussels and shrimp
• Soy products
• Tea
• Vegetables, including cabbage, kale, lettuce, leeks, peas and spinach