[Diet manipulations and nickel sulphate-induced contact dermatitis evaluated in 24 cases]

The wide distribution of nickel in the environment as well as in animal and vegetable foods has led a large number of authors to investigate the oral absorption of nickel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a free-nickel diet in 24 patients affected by nickel sulphate-induced contract dermatitis. The diagnosis was made on the basis of their past history and of Patch test. A complete remission of symptoms was obtained with a nickel-free diet for two months; Patch test became partial negative in 50% of patients and completely negative in 33%. In conclusion our results confirm the relationship between nickel-induced dermatitis and oral nickel absorption and suggest that diet manipulations can be useful in cases of refractory skin manifestations.