Nickel in intercellular fluid. Comparison between nickel-allergic patients and controls

Twelve non-atopic women with nickel allergy and allergic contact dermatitis (pompholyx type) were compared with matched controls without any known allergy. Intercellular fluid was obtained by the suction blister technique, and sufficient material for analysis was available from 10 women from each group. The median nickel concentration was 16 nmol/l in the patient group and 39 nmol/l in the controls (p less than 0.02). Calculated dietary intake of nickel during the week before examination was similar in the two groups, but the fluid intake was larger in the control group. Urine was collected in the morning before examination by 11 women in each group; the nickel concentrations showed no difference between the two groups. These observations suggest that cellular uptake of nickel in sensitized patients may be sufficient to influence the kinetics of nickel in the body.