How common are skin reactions to nickel?

[knuckle_head]

You know - skin discolorations, swelling and the like?

I had no idea this sort of thing happens.

[Gord_oh]

allergies are very common, i assume nickel is no exception.
i dont know anyone that has had that problem,
but im sure there are those who have.

[Brent Hahn]

I recently went to a dermatologist for a weird rash on my stomach & the bridge of my nose. He said it was most likely a nickel allergy, and pointed out my glasses and the rivet-thingy buttoning my Levis.

Same glasses and Levis as ever... why now? He basically said, "the economy's gone to hell and everyone's freaking out. I'm seeing about one of these a day."

He prescribed some heavy duty cortisone ointment, which seems to have knocked it down.

[chadds]

There is a neurologist who is an acupuncturist in Maryland who clears patients of their food, environmental etc. sensitivities. He has had patients get all of the traditional testing done, show allergies, he's cleared them and are clear after a retest. I now eat dairy after avoiding it for 20 years. I eat wheat after being off for 3 years. I went to him as I heard that there was no cure for a gluten sensitivity. Well, there is.

Why do we have these sensitivities? We have to blame the intermixing of chemicals in our environments. Some foods are taxing our immune systems or acting like immune suppressants. ie: high fructose corn syrup.

[LowBSix]

It's very common... I get a bad reaction to Nickel Plated watch bands...

[fretlessguy]

Go tapewound or stainless for strings. I have heard of this before. One of my students had a similar problem with her guitar strings and changed to stainless.

[Oren Hudson]

Originally Posted by LowBSix

It's very common... I get a bad reaction to Nickel Plated watch bands...

Exactly the same for me. Worn those type bands for years. So - for the last 3 months, I've been wearing a leather watch band. No problems.

[mndean]

Very, very common. I don't have a nickel allergy, but I have allergies to some other substances (dairy products, Metol which is used in film development causes dermatitis, and pao ferro does the same where I touch it as well, which surprised the hell out of me until I read about it not being unusual). If you're exposed to something for a long time, you can develop allergies to it, and some things you are allergic to from the day you're born. Best thing to do is avoidance if possible, if not, an allergist can usually set you right.

[jonnythelarge]

I started getting really bad irritation on my left hand and I knew that I used to have nickel allergies but didn't know that Strings were Nickel coated. Switched to Stainless Steel Elites and within days the irritations went away.
It was like dermitis, itchy weeping and so damn annoying.
Now I have no worries.

[RedBastard]

Yeah, I'm allergic to Nickel. I get reactions from cheap jewellery, belt buckles, studded wristbands etc. It starts with little tiny itchy bumps on the skin. It can actually get pretty serious if you have a bad nickel allergy and leave something nickel on the skin too long - to the point where you can get a kind of blood poisoning.

[cossie]

My girlfriend has to be really careful about the belts she wears and the buttons on her jeans / trousers as she has an allergy to nickel.

[MalMan]

nickel is just ****ed all together. On our welding consumables at work it says its carsonagenic (sp?) altho breathing in fumes is different, its still not a good sign