If you find your skin reacting to a piercing or piece of jewelry on your skin, nickel may be to blame. As one of the most common culprits of the allergic reaction called contact dermatitis, a sensitivity to nickel can develop at any age, particularly after prolonged exposure to the silver-white metal. Once you treat the symptoms of your reaction, avoid nickel contact by carefully selecting your body jewelry in the future.
Causes of Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to a substance it mistakes as harmful to your body, such as nickel, triggering an immune response. After repeated or prolonged exposure to nickel through wearing earrings or other body jewelry, you may eventually experience such a reaction, and once your body reacts to nickel, you'll always suffer from an allergic response after exposure to the metal.
Symptoms
Most allergic reactions to nickel begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure. You may notice a skin rash, raised bumps, redness, inflammation, itchy or dry patches, blistering or skin lesions. While most nickel reactions occur near the sight of the piercing, you may experience symptoms on other parts of your body. Most reactions will last for two to four weeks. If the affected area becomes red, warm to the touch, tender and oozes pus, you may have an infection and should see your doctor right away.
Treatments
While allergic contact dermatitis reactions from nickel exposure will eventually go away on their own, you can take steps to relieve discomfort. Apply an anti-itch soothing lotion or cover the affected area with a clean wet dressing to help alleviate itching and blistering. If your symptoms are severe, ask your doctor about prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines or corticosteroid creams to improve the rash. Avoid tight-fitting clothing that may rub or cause sweating at the site of the reaction.
Selecting Jewelry
Once you develop a nickel sensitivity, you'll have to chose your jewelry carefully to prevent further exposure. Avoid jewelry made from white gold or cobalt, which both may contain nickel. Instead, choose jewelry made from sterling silver, 18-carat gold, platinum, titanium, surgical steel, copper or nickel-free stainless steel. Make sure your earring backs are made of similar hypoallergenic materials as well.
