Allergies to metal
Metal allergy is one of the most common forms of contact allergy. Rather than a congenital allergy, it is an acquired hypersensitivity to certain metals. Metal allergy makes life particularly unpleasant for people who work in engineering workshops. The other common group affected are people who wear jewellery, including piercings.
The most common metal allergies
Nickel allergy
It is estimated that about 10 - 15% of people have a sensitivity to nickel. Nickel is the cause of allergies to both stainless steel and surgical steel. It is found in a variety of alloys and is added to common jewellery metals including gold.
Chromium allergy
Chromium is used to protect metal objects from corrosion. It can be found in chrome plated bathroom accessories, faucets, on various auto parts and interior accessories.
Allergies to copper
Copper is added to jewellery metals, used to make copper cookware, and is found in brass, which is often used to make things like doorknobs and coins.
Allergies to cobalt
Cobalt is found in common use in the dyeing of glass and ceramics in blue shades and is also found in jewellery.
Allergies to titanium
Titanium is rated as a metal that is very well tolerated and allergies to titanium are rare. Therefore, joint replacements and prostheses are made from it.
Metal allergy is successfully detected by epicutaneous tests. With hypersensitivity it is worse, because the body does not react with a detectable formation of antibodies, but only locally.
Common metal products that can bother us
Metal allergy or hypersensitivity occurs mainly at the point of contact of bare skin with buttons on trousers, buckles and clasps on summer sandals or watches, at zippers, under bracelets, rings, earrings and chains, when in contact with keys, coins.
Symptoms of metal allergy
In congenital metal allergy, the human body reacts systemically. In addition to skin manifestations, there may be difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Metal allergy affects only a small group of people.
In contrast, about 38% of people suffer from contact hypersensitivity. In direct contact with the allergen, the site of contact is red, itches badly, may swell, and a rash appears. If the problem is left untreated, blisters may appear or the skin may crack until it bleeds. Irritation can also occur through indirect contact. If there are metal particles in the air, reactions will occur on exposed parts of the body such as the neck and face.
Dermaguard barrier cream prevents the skin from direct contact with metal.
