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Related Experiment Videos

Nickel dermatitis from cheap earrings.

B Santucci1, P V Ferrari, A Cristaudo

  • 1Servizio di Allergologia, Istituto Dermosifilopatico di S. Maria e San Gallicano, Roma, Italy.

Contact Dermatitis
|October 1, 1989
PubMed
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Nickel allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in young women wearing inexpensive earrings. These earrings release nickel ions, leading to skin reactions and potential sensitization.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Allergology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Nickel sensitivity is a significant public health concern, with a high prevalence of positive patch tests to nickel in the general population.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) frequently affects the earlobes, especially in young females, often linked to the use of costume jewelry.
  • Previous studies indicated a substantial percentage of patients with nickel sensitivity, necessitating further investigation into common exposure sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cheap earrings and nickel-induced allergic contact dermatitis.
  • To quantify nickel ion release from earring components and assess the skin's reaction to these ions.
  • To understand the mechanism of nickel sensitization through earlobe exposure.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Patch testing patients with the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) standard series to identify nickel sensitivity.
  • Evaluating dermatitis prevalence in patients and young schoolgirls with a history of wearing cheap earrings.
  • Quantifying nickel ion release from earring clasps and clips using synthetic sweat.
  • Performing direct skin exposure tests with earring components on nickel-sensitive individuals.

Main Results:

  • In 1988, 64% of patients tested were nickel-sensitive.
  • Dermatitis of the earlobes was reported in 70% of 300 evaluated patients and 62% of 735 young schoolgirls, all of whom regularly wore cheap earrings.
  • Earring clasps and clips released significant amounts of nickel ions (49-103 µg/12h).
  • Direct skin application of an earring clasp elicited a reaction comparable to a 5% nickel sulfate solution in nickel-sensitive patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cheap earrings are a major source of nickel exposure, leading to allergic contact dermatitis of the earlobes.
  • Repetitive exposure to nickel ions from earrings causes direct skin inflammation and subsequent sensitization.
  • Identifying and avoiding nickel-containing jewelry is crucial for preventing and managing nickel allergy.