I to have am allergic to nickel. I think it may be causing dishydrotic eczema. I have severe blistering on the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. The outbreaks seem to be sporadic and I can't find a common link. I am wondering if it is my diet. Does anyone else have this condition along with the nickel allergy. It is very painful.

Well, I have had contact dermatis caused by nickel in jewelry most, if not all of my life.
About ten years ago I developed eczema and it became very severe-over most of my body, extremely uncomfortable, with bad patches that oozed and became infected. I was on triamcinalone and clobetazole cremes (sp?). I started noticing that it was much worse after eating certain foods, like chocolate and citrus fruits. My dermatologist told me that some studies had shown that some people who reacted to nickel contacting their skin with dermatitis also reacted to foods high in nickel.
I found out which foods were high in nickel and many of them I instanty recognized as problem foods for me. I went on a diet low in nickel and my eczema improved dramatically. If I consume any of those foods it comes right back. Just a tiny bit of chocolate does it.
My dad had the same type of dyshidrosis as you, huge blister on the soles of his feet and palms. He never figured out what caused it. But you might try eliminating nickel in your diet. It's very hard to do but really helps me.
Also, I researched and found that excess nickel in the body binds (chelates)to something in cilantro so I make a paste with cilantro, garlic and olive oil and eat that to help my body get rid of excess nickel. It seems to help. Good luck!

Hi,
I'm a 44 year old female with major allergies, asthma, fibromyalgia and polycycstic ovary syndrome. I just found out last summer that I had a nickle allergy when I asked why I was breaking out around my wire frame glasses. I got titanium frames this time and it has made a huge difference.

Over Christmas, I have been having a major anaphylactic reaction, swollen tongue and throat, trouble breathing, hives, heart palpitations etc. My allergist felt it was due to the metformin I take for the PCOS and took me off of it. On one trip to my allergist, I picked up a freebie publication on allergies. They had an article on nickle allergies. In the article, it said that if you have a nickle allergy, you shouldn't cook in stainless steel or eat canned goods. It said that the nickle from the cans and pans leaches into the food, particularly with high acid foods. Given the "bucket theory" of allergies (your immune system is like a leaky bucket, as long as you don't add allergens faster than the bucket leaks, you don't react. If you add too many allergens too fast, the bucket overflows and you react), I decided to act on the tip. I got rid of all my canned goods and bought some aluminum pots and pans. (I did some research first, the whole aluminum cookware/alzheimer's connection seems to be pretty well debunked, there is something like 15 times more aluminum in one antacid tablet than you get from cooking a meal in aluminum cookware and diabetes is looking to be the biggest risk for getting alzheimers. Besides, the restaurant industry never stopped using aluminum, so if you eat in restaurants, you're getting it anyway).

Anyway, the result is that my anaphylaxis is steadily retreating. Interestingly, my fibromyalgia seems to be retreating with it. I take a muscle relaxer for it, and I can take anywhere from 4 - 8 milligrams a night depending on my level of pain. Over Christmas, I was taking 8 milligrams and still having pain. The last two nights I've only taken 2 milligrams and had little or no pain. I have never taken that little muscle relaxer before. I've also stopped having trouble swallowing and stopped having symptoms of what I thought were hemorrhoids but now appear to have been internal hives. I'm starting to think that this nickle allergy has been going on for a long time at a lot more serious level than I realized. Has anyone else out there encountered any of this?

I've been suffering from food allergies for many many years. I've not been able to find any pattern to them until now. I've just figured in the last couple of days that all the foods I react to have a moderate to high nickel content. I've often thought I was going crazy.
Two years ago I had severe swelling of the tongue where I was close to stopping breathing and had to be rushed to hospital. The reaction started after eating prawns. I had had a few mouth ulcers and blood blisters with prawns, but not each time so I was caught unawares. The nickel content of those prawns must have been very high.
I develop hives and severe itching as well as rashes when I consume all the usual nickel suspects (chocolate, nuts, green leafy veg, potatoes, wholemeal grains, lettuce, some fruits, peas, lentils, onions, garlic. Oh my the list is endless it seems).
I stay better when I eat meat, poultry and dairy produce. Not so clever on the fibre that. I've read that sweet corn (maize in the US? (I'm writing from the UK)) is OK for nickel so have started to eat that. Thank you for the tip re cilantro. I will try that too.
For the anaphlaxis I now carry epipens (ie adrenaline for self injection) should my tongue swell again.
About a year ago I started getting lower back pain which no-one can figure at all. They reckon it may be psychosomatic. It's like fibromyalgia, I think. I find sitting for any length of time quite unbearable. It has had a devastating impact on my life but somehow I've figured a way of coping.
This last year I had been trying to eat more foods. As I had no idea about nickel I was trying bread, potatoes, chocolate, peas, lentils. Oh my! Anway I got severe pain in my fingers which my doctor could not understand. I mentioned allergies and he laughed. I felt a bit silly. I gave up some of the foods that made me itch a lot, but kept trying others. Then my lower back went.
And the gut bloating (had this for ages too) got worse and life seemed quite hellish.
Recently my right arm started to hurt, and the taste of food seems very odd. My heart rate is sky high (85-100) and my blood pressure is 130/100 ish.
I've stopped all that trying different foods and have reverted back to my old old rather tedious diet, but I'll add the corn and see what happens.

Sorry such a long post, but it's great to have found this forum.

It is a relief to find this page. For the last 20 years, I have had dyshidrotic Eczema. However, I only read today that it may be due to nickel allergies. I have a swollen tongue quite often, where it feels difficult to annunciate clearly. I get the rash on my hands. I stopped taking vitamins when I ran out, and bought a new brand only to find that I broke out in a rash. I've been trying to rule out specific vitamins I may be allergic to.

I have had rashes all over my arms for years. Never TOO severe, but annoying. Long sleeves in summer and all that. Anyway, yesterday in a fit of PMS, I ate nearly an entire box of chocolate (Valentine's Day gift). Now, I eat chocolate all the time, but in small quantities, spread out throughout the week. I never saw a correlation with chocolate and rashes. But today, when I woke up to hands covered in blisters, I started wondering.

I will try Centrum (regular adult formula) as recommended. I will also eat a lot of cilantro (I had no idea it helps leech nickel out of the body). I do not wear any jewelry, but will be sure my boyfriend buys me platinum I will also look into buying new pans, or cooking in my teflon lined ones.

So, a couple questions:
1) How can I find out if a vitamin has nickel added? Will it be on the label?
2) Do lotions and makeup have nickel in them? I know I cannot use most "natural" oils. No almond, shea butter, coco butter, olive oil, etc. But I also seem to be extremely sensitive to most fragrances. Is this an entirely separate issue?
3) Other than cilantro, are there supplements that can help remove nickel from foods?
4) Where is a list of the foods with the highest nickel concentrations?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I would definitely see a dermatologist. Ask them to do a patch test. I had it done and I was diagnosed with mutiple contact allergies-nickle, cobalt, cinnamon, blue-9 (used in any clothing that is blue, purple, grey or black) and fragrance. The fragrance one is really big. I have had to change a lot of things. Deoderant, soap, lotions, detergents, makeup and hair products. The hair products have been the hardest to change because there are only a few brands that make a fragrance free shampoo and conditioner. Nobody makes hair spray. Also, just because the label says it is fragrance free doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't have fragrance. There are a bunch of chemicals that are actually a fragrance additive. Benzyl Alcohol is the one I have seen the most in the labels that is a fragrance additive. My first time shopping after finding out I spent 2 hours just in the beauty department reading labels. Target sells a brand called Method. The Go Naked "flavor" is great! There is no dyes or fragrances in it. It has hand soap, dish soap, surface cleaner and surface wipes. I don't have any problems now when I wash dishes!!!

I do have the nickle diet too. I haven't been following yet. But basically, no leafy vegatables (i.e lettuce), beans, nuts, canned fruits and veggies, wheat products.

I developed an allergy to the nickel in a dental bridge that I had had in my mouth for almost 10 years.

The bridge had come loose ever so slightly (enough to cause errosion of the nickel???) and manifested in "migraine-like" (but not migraine) headaches.

They disappeared when the bridge was removed and replaced with a bridge made of non-nickel material.

Hi All,

Just joined this site as a nickel sufferer for 13 yrs I redcently got worse the past three years, I have had every ailment under the sun you name it I have seriously suffered that much that it put me in hospital for two weks in March 2007 because I hd poisend my body with nickel.
I took up the acoustic guitar three years ago ws fine for six months the a mate of mine told me to use nickel strings for a better sound - as I was 39 at the time I was diagnosed with nickel allergy at 27 so it will be more around 15 yrs now but I never thought about it as it never seemed to affect me that much so forgot all about it. I did suffer some allergies to cetain foods like acidity / vinegar etc but that was all but it was since I use nickel strings for 2.5 yrs that things got from bad to serious life threatening.
I have spent the last year soing y own research as MY NHS for theuk Hospital specialists did not have a clue how to treat me exzcept give me uvb light treatment which only clear the skin surface not the problem from with in-
Now I have done my research and I mean I have gone as far as possible and it turns out that Nickel and Mercury causes Gluten / MSG allergies. If you want to ease the itchy skin and get it cleared up it will tak an average of 4-6 months depending on how long/serious rash /blistering skin is I have had blistering skin disease due to nickel for at least on and off 18 monthsvery painful and distressing often thinking at times of suicide /depression which ispart of the symtoms among other things like Flu / nausea / chest pains cramp muscle spasms bloating laryngitus etc stomach acid being very tired each day.
My answer to everyone who does suffer from any of the above chnage your diet asap or you will never heal I now live of chicken / porkand ham/gammon ( do not eat steak / beef bad for your condition)anything containing yeast which is a preservative to combat food decay or any food thats been cooked and has been injected with preservatives you must only eat fresh meat you cook yourself or is cooked with no seasoming etc.
Avoid bread / biscuits dairy products eve eggs as the yoke contains nickel MSG(Monosodium Glutamate) known as the chinese takeaway disease is very bad for you it aggravates you itchy skin condition which I have no doubt you have all heard the word uracateria - well thats what I thought I had but it turns out nickel causes Dermatitus herpetiformis which is a blistering skin disease of water blisters which form and are very itchy and when knocked it turns into a very itchy spot /rash that can get infected and eitherlast for days /weeks or months at a time- know this for a fact because I have suffered badly from this and still now and again get a sudden burst when I try something new.
I have had all the creams antibiotics anti-estimenes waste of money antibotics god for infection but thats all if you want to get beeter then read on>>>>>>>>>>
Do not eat

Steak /beef eat white fish only no additives each chicken and pork ( also bacon and gammon (not ham) only eat butter ( no vegatable oil or Olive oil) as these iols are bad for you you must only use Sunflower oil for cooking onlyor butter.Do not use gravy as this can contain harmful ingredients like yeast and soya (I have tried Boulion gravey does not work as all items contain at least one harmful additative)

Do not at at any bread products. I have tried gluten free wheat free and egg free bread but it containd yeast which made my skin react so cut it out altogether only tried this bread after going 12 months without but don not miss it and the weight just drops off.

Do not at anything thats green as in vegatbles or fruit do not eat any kind of tomatoes or onions because of the acidity avoid all canned foods or foods in plastic bags like soups as the lining on the inside is nickel which containates the product which kills the bacteria in foods.

avoid barley /oats / wheat / soya and malt product malt and barley are found in most cereals and vingar products spirit vinegar is also a no go'er.
if you like your patoato chips (Crisps as we call them in th uk )then only eat ready salted or sea salt butit has to say Gluten / Msg free on the packet as I have found out many manufacturers put gluten/wheat /yeast /and msg into these foods so you must eat those crips only anything flavoured will keep aggravating the skin disorder.

Drinks - no other drinks allowed except for Cider this is safe Magners is best or Cider that only conatains suphites and nothing else other than alcohol Suphites is low on MSg plus the sugar turns to alchohol anyway so its very safe to drink bottle only no cans as all aluminium cans arenickel lined inside ( I know because its all I drink now when I decide to go for a drink with the lads and lassies. If you drink beer or red wine stop asap tried it does not work you have eliminate all the offending ffods and drinks if you really want to get this under control.
I have just been registered in the UK as a gluten free patient based on my own research which I had to prove to the medical board of Skin specialist who agred that Ihad tried and tesated foods over thew last 2 yrs on and office and writing down the effects which sometimes could take a couple of hours or two days to show.

If you drink tea/coffe and lots of it like I used to this must cease as these conatin yeasts /sugars which makes it worse do not drink coffee you can buy Green and Black tea which is a combined product which you can have with milk (the milk must be lactose free) you cannot use normal milk I changed my milk after months of eliminating and I am OK with lactose free milk

You must not eat any flour unless it states that it is gluten and wheat free which is mostly topica flour etc

This is what you can eat....

Small amount of carrots each day / small amount of potatoes (no green vegatables) you can also eat turnip (not swede)do not at any kind of sprout there all effect your condition eat plenty of fresh chicken / turkey / pork you can eat lamb but only once ina while but you must not at steak / beef tried introducing it made my sin react, all meat must be fresh and not bought cooked you must either have them cooked in a restuarant so you can eat them once its done or cook it yourself the foods must not be contaminated with any offending foods that has had wheat in in it ike batered stuff etc if you like chips like me only eat oven chips cooked in Sunflower oil will say on packet 98% sunflower 2% salt these have no effect on you condition what-so-ever if your bothered about putting on weight (don't worry)as with cutting out the bad/offending foods you will lose weight and feel healthier with in three months and your skin will start to clear up the scars will take longer but you will feel better in yourself but I will not lie it will take at east six months to nine months for it to ressolve but you must stick to the diet as I have done its frustrating at times but the outcome is a better way of life for you add me to msn if you want to chat regarding my findings avoid fruit altogether especially acidy fruite like oranges limes some apples etc but most fruits conatin knickel from natuarl resources fromt he ground there grown in if you like bakdpotatoes take the skin of befoe you cook it as I have found out the skin heats into the potatoe tried eating them fro a week and reacted took skin off then cooked them no reaction the knickel is in the skin I have rambled on long eneough like said add me to msn on the above e-mail address as my doctor says asfar as he knows I am the only person in the uk to have done my own research into my condition and allergies / or hypersensitivities to certain foods etc wghich I am thinking about writing abook next year as I have helped some people with eczema and there have done what i suggestd and there conditon cleared up afer 6 weeks - if you suffer from eczema do not eat airy products not even eggs / yougurtetc and only drink lactose free milk see ya bye Hopethis info helps

Regards Mark from England

I have just recently discovered this website after having confirmation that I do in fact have a rather intense nickle allergy, among other substances.

I read one lady also has issues with her gold jewellery. I too have issues and one of the substances I reacted to even worse than nickle, was Goldsodiumthiosulfide. It is apparently in certain dental material and is a type of salt that is leeched from gold.

I notice a lot of people have issues with jewellery and certain types of food, but nickle is in a lot of cosmetics, especially eye stuff. I have stopped wearing makeup altogether, and all types of creams, lotions etc on my face. I do feel better and I am no longer experiencing sore itchy eyes, or any Urticaria. I had a number of episodes of Urticaria, and nickle can cause be a cause of this.

I would really like to find out where I can obtain the Nickle Free Diet because I'm finding it difficult to know what to eat and how to figure out what has a high level of nickle in a food and what doesnt, because so many things have nickle in it.

thanks....aalleexx

Hi everyone! I'm new here so please excuse me if I'm barging in on this thread but I'm getting desperate!
So many here seem to have an allergy to nickel so what better place to start
So here's my story...
I've been getting puffy, red itchy flaking eyes for about a year on and off. Been to several doctors and it's been nothing more than a run around.
I've also gotten a patch test and the only thing that has come up is nickel. Even without make-up I get flare ups. So my question is:

could I get a reaction only on my eyes if it's nickel in food related?

Thanks in advance!
Katrina