Nickel-Free Alternatives
Raise Awareness
Original Study:
Hannah Hill, BS, Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, Michael Patrick Sheehan, MD, Amy Patel, BS, and Sharon E. Jacob, MD
DERMATITIS, Vol 26 ¡ No 6 ¡ November/December, 2015, pg 245-253
Review by James (Keith) Parker, BS. MSI, Loma Linda University
Nickel is the most prevalent confirmed contact allergen worldwide. The range of objects that contain nickel is wide, from laptops, personal care products, food, underwires and claps in bras, tools, jeans snaps and zippers, and a host of others. The Hill et al. article(CITE) reviews/highlights that:
* Retailors that sell ‘nickel free’ products should be required to meet safety standards, as issued in the European Nickel Directive.
* The growing number of retailors specifically that sell ‘nickel free’ (low nickel release) products is growing, many of which can be found online:
Costco sells nickel free eyeglasses; Calvin Klein and Levis sell nickel free jeans; EyeCareCosmetics and RMS Beauty sell nickel free makeup, Nonickel.com sells belts, buckles, watches and jewelry.
* Dimethylglyoxime/ammonia (or DMG-ammonia) – a simple product that can be used to test if there is releasable nickel in any metallic object, the test turns the applicator pink if there is enough nickel to cause a problem in a sensitized person. Dormer, NoNickel and Smartpractice are manufacturers/distributors of the nickel test kits.
* Items that contain sentimental value (heirlooms, wedding rings) could be treated with an enamel or rhodium plating.
Photo by Retha Ferguson from Pexels 
Did you know?
“Nickel oxide is also used in the production of certain types of glass, including crystal glass, black light blue glass and ophthalmic glass. In sunglasses, nickel is used as a colorant, giving a brown tint to absorb sunlight and hence protect the eye against UV radiation.”
From https://www.nickelinstitute.org/~/media/Files/MediaCenter/NI%20Compounds%202015%20v12%20FINAL.ashx
Always test your products!!!
I had never hear of Rhodium plating until reading this article. Here is a link from a google search that explains the process: http://www.finishing.com/faqs/whitegold.shtml. Seems like a good option to consider especially for those heirloom pieces that cause skin reactions.