Nickel Contact Hypersensitivity in Children

Abstract

Nickel allergic contact dermatitis is the most prevalent allergy in North America, with an incidence of 14.3%. It is on the rise from 10 years ago, when the incidence was 10%. This has been presumed to represent an increased exposure to nickel in the environment-especially in costume jewelry and belt buckles. We examined a group of 30 pediatric patients who had either a personal history of umbilical or wrist dermatitis, or a family history of nickel allergic contact dermatitis. All of these patients had a positive patch test to nickel sulfate 5%. Moreover, 50% of patients had an id reaction; all of these patients had positive patch tests that were papular in nature, similar to their papular id reaction. We posit that the presence of a positive family history may be a positive predictor of nickel allergic contact dermatitis, requiring nickel avoidance, especially in atopic children. Based on the high level of positive reactions in patients with umbilical dermatitis and an id reaction, patch testing to nickel in these patients is most likely to yield a useful result. Knowledge of reactivity to nickel would then allow parents and patients to initiate nickel avoidance earlier in life.

Contact Dermatitis in Children

“…Silverberg and colleagues examined 30 pediatric patients with personal history of umbilical or wrist dermatitis or a family history of nickel allergic contact dermatitis. All patients developed a positive patch test to nickel and 50% of patients were reported to develop id reactions (Silverberg et al, 2002). Systemic contact dermatitis has also been reported with nickel.…”

Management of contact dermatitis due to nickel allergy: an update

“…30,31 Several cases of nickel ACD in neonates and infants have been described and sources of sensitization in this age group are numerous, including earrings, jewelry worn by the mother, bed rails, metal buttons and snaps in underwear, identifi cation bracelets, safety pins, zippers, jeans and belt buckles, metal accessories, shoes, coins, metal toys, magnets, medallions, keys, and door handles. [32][33][34][35][36][37] Nickel ACD can also occasionally be induced by orthodontic appliances, which can cause cheilitis, perioral eczema, stomatitis and even systemic dermatitis on the eyelids, fi ngers, ears, and periorbital area. [38][39] However, nickel sensitization is lower in adolescents who wear dental braces before ear piercing as they may develop immunological tolerance.…”

Corrosion Mechanism in Artificial Sweat Solution of In-Bearing White Bronze Alloy

“…[1][2][3][4] In Europe, 10% to 15% of adult females and 1% to 3% of adult males are allergic to nickel, [5][6][7] and even larger fractions of the population are affected in the United States. [8][9][10] The alarming frequency of sensitization to nickel led to this metal being named the 2008 "Allergen of the Year" by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. 11 Consequently, the European Union (EU) issued the directive 94/27/EC, named "The Nickel Directive," limiting the rate of nickel release to 0.5 μg cm -2 week -1 for objects that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.…”