Collection of Blogs related to information about contact dermatitis
Time for Nickel Policy
Goblin’s Copper –The Time For a Nickel-Directed US Health Policy is Here. In THE DERMATOLOGIST, Vol 23 – Issue 3 – March 2015, pg 18-21
By Sharon E. Jacob, MD, Alina Goldenberg, MAS, Nanette Silverberg, MD, Luz Fonacier, MD, Bruce Brod, MD, Richard Usatine, MD, Robert Sidbury, MD, MPH, James Young, DO, Anthony Fransway, MD, Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, Albert Yan, MD, and Janice L. Pelletier, MD, FAAP
Review by Chandler Rundle, BS. MSI, Loma Linda University
For years, nickel sensitization has plagued individuals of all ages. Nickel allergy can present as a localized or diffuse reaction, leading the reaction to often be confused with other conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Cases of nickel allergy are increasing, but there is minimal legislation on nickel restriction. The Jacob et al. article reviews/highlights that:
*International initiatives that regulated the allowable amount of nickel release from items inserted in piercings limited to <0.2 μg/cm2/week has led to decreased sensitization rates and a cost savings of $2 billion US dollars over a twenty year period.*A significant percentage of the clinical cases are unpublished – hence underrepresented.
* Half of the subjects sensitized to nickel have never consulted a doctor because of their nickel dermatitis
*Rates of nickel dermatitis have risen significantly. While awareness of nickel dermatitis has heightened as a public health issue.
* United States legislation has yet to formulate regulation of nickel in products – as Europe did in the 1990’s.
Nickel Contact Dermatitis in US Adults-A 53-Year Review- Synopsis
Authors: Goldenberg A, Vassantachart J, Lin EJ, Lampel HP, Jacob SE. Nickel Allergy in US Adults-A 53-Year Review of Indexed Cases. Dermatitis. 2015 Jul 14.
Synopsis by Janna Vassantachart, MSIV — Loma Linda University School of Medicine
For 53 years, nickel has been unparalleled as the most common allergen documented in patch-tested US patients of all ages. In 1994, the European Union (EU) decreased rates of sensitization by enacting a Nickel Directive to regulate nickel release to no more than 0.5 µg/cm2/week. No such directive currently exists in the USA.
This study conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed adult nickel dermatitis cases published within the United States to identify trends over the past decades, sources of nickel sensitization, and regional variations. The results of the study demonstrated:
• Between 1962 and 2015, there were 74 articles published reporting 18,251 cases of nickel sensitivity in US adults.
• Over the past decades, the frequency of published articles on nickel sensitivity has continuously increased with a significant correlation (r = 0.798, P = 0.057). Compared to only one article published between 1960 and 1970, in the last 5 years, 30 articles have been published.
• Five articles reported occupational exposures such as a stethoscope, chalk, and a military-issued lanyard chain from an identification neck tag (aka ‘‘dog tag’’). The most commonly reported nonoccupational sources were Essure contraceptive microinserts and Amplatzer septal occluders for atrial septal defects.
• Geographically, 27 US states have had at least 1 reported case of adult nickel dermatitis.
Most nickel dermatitis cases seen clinically are neither patch-tested nor captured in the literature, allowing for a prospering hidden nickel epidemic. However, this study reveals that even the literature has seen a significant increase in published cases over the past decades. Rising rates of US nickel ACD highlight the need for medical professionals, legislators, and manufacturers to advocate for an EU-like Nickel Directive to regulate the release of free nickel.
How your cell phone can be giving you a rash! – Allergic contact dermatitis is an epidemic
It’s ok.
We can all admit it.
We’ve all had that moment of panic when we leave the house and realize we haven’t brought our cell phone with us. I’d be pressed to think of another device that we hold in such high regard, as these mobile brain power machines, that consume our attention ad nauseam. With such firm attachments to our hearts, it’s hard to fathom that such a glorious machine could cause us harm. How can this happen?!?!?!
Certain metals, nickel being the main culprit, is to blame for giving many a rash just from using their cell phones…
Here at Dermatitis Academy, we are striving to improve awareness of the growing problem of nickel allergic contact dermatitis, as well as other causes of rashes that you can prevent just by avoiding certain things called “sensitizers” and getting tested for your susceptibility to becoming a victim of this growing epidemic.
To learn more about nickel allergic contact dermatitis, and contact dermatitis in general please watch our video here:
Wonder if you already have allergic contact dermatitis? Find out how to get tested here: PATCH TESTING – WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?
Stay tuned for more allergic contact dermatitis facts. Thanks for checking out our website!
Article by Peter Gust
