A recent article in Reader’s Digest was an excellent reminder for the owners of NoNickel.com, that there are yet many people who remain unaware of the potential problems associated with nickel. Those who experience symptoms ranging from irritating red, itchy rashes to more severe systemic reactions may be incognizant that they are allergic to the nickel found in common household and clothing products.

Frequent triggers of a nickel allergic reaction are belt buckles and jewelry, but many people learn of their nickel sensitivity through frequent use of metal items. Hair stylists may be allergic to the nickel in their scissors and cashiers may be sensitive to the nickel found in coins.

Reader’s Digest writer, Kaitlin Chamberlin, provided excellent introductory material on nickel allergy; however, there is more help readily available than the article suggests. The first step to nickel allergy prevention is to obtain a nickel test kit, which is not available in pharmacies as noted. Michael and Lea Dow, owners of NoNickel.com, founded parent company Athena Allergy, Inc. in 2001 to develop and offer the first pre-mixed and pre-measured dmg spot test for nickel.

Setting the standard in nickel tests, Nickel Alert™ detects nickel in metal at the extremely low level of ten parts per million. Nickel Alert is also safe to use on any metal item, quickly and easily providing an accurate test result. To test for nickel, one simply needs to moisten a cotton swab with Nickel Alert and then firmly rub the metal item for several seconds; a pink result indicates the presence of nickel.

Nickel Alert is available at NoNickel.com, AthenaAllergy.com, or Amazon.com, with lower prices found on the first two sites listed. Nickel Alert can be purchased separately or as part of Nickel Solution™ which contains one bottle of Nickel Alert and one bottle of Nickel Guard™. Nickel Guard is a clinically tested and proven barrier that is to metal items to prevent nickel from being absorbed by the skin.

Although it has been suggested that the use of clear nail polish can serve as a possible protective nickel barrier, this use can lead to secondary skin reactions as some nail polish contains harmful chemicals including toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde.  Nickel Guard is proven safe and effective in the prevention of nickel salts contacting the skin and causing an allergic response.

In addition to these necessary building blocks for the nickel allergic patient, NoNickel.com also has a huge collection of nickel free belts, with the majority made in the USA of genuine full grain or top grain leather. These handcrafted belts offer all the comfort of a real leather belt along with the lifetime assurance of no nickel allergy rash.

Nickel free earrings, also handmade in the USA, are available in many styles and colors. From dichroic glass post or dangle earrings to those made with Czech glass, these beautiful nickel free earrings are tested pre-and post-production to assure there is no nickel to cause an earlobe rash from nickel. Customers also appreciate being able to secure nickel free buttons and rivets, so that favorite jeans and pants can be made nickel free with the help of a good tailor!

Michael and Lea Dow are so appreciative that Reader’s Digest is spreading the word about nickel allergy. They have worked in the allergic contact dermatitis field for decades and are seeing an increase in the numbers of people who are affected by this malady. Education and prevention are the keys to overcoming the symptoms. The only cure for nickel allergy is avoidance, which can be achieved by detecting the nickel, protecting the skin from nickel, and purchasing Certified Nickel Free™ products.

Chamberlin, Kaitlyn. “7 Allergies That Are On The Rise – and Why You’re Likely at Risk”. Reader’s Digest. Accessed March 28, 2017. http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/allergies-on-the-rise/

 

Nickel Continues Surge as Allergen of Concern