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Allergic contact dermatitis to nickel: bioavailability from consumer products and provocation threshold
E A Emmett1, T H Risby, L Jiang
1Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Nickel allergy subjects showed varied reaction thresholds. Nickel leaching from jewelry, especially earrings, significantly exceeded these thresholds, indicating a risk of nickel sensitization from consumer products.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Materials Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Nickel allergy is a common contact hypersensitivity.
- Consumer products like jewelry can release nickel, leading to allergic reactions.
- Understanding nickel bioavailability is crucial for assessing sensitization risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the nickel provocation threshold in sensitive individuals.
- To assess nickel bioavailability from nickel-releasing jewelry.
- To compare nickel leaching from different jewelry types and solutions.
Main Methods:
- Patch testing with serial nickel sulfate dilutions in petrolatum and water.
- Nickel leaching experiments using earrings and a necklace in plasma, saline, and synthetic sweat.
- Analysis of surface and total nickel using nitric acid and aqua regia.
Main Results:
- Provocation thresholds varied widely, with a statistically significant lowest threshold of 1.5 micrograms.
- Nickel leaching from earrings and a necklace exceeded provocation thresholds by 1.4- to 93-fold.
- Earrings released more nickel than the necklace; plasma was most effective in leaching nickel from earrings.
Conclusions:
- Nickel-releasing jewelry poses a significant risk for inducing nickel sensitization.
- Differences in metallurgy influence nickel bioavailability from consumer products.
- Ear piercing may frequently induce nickel sensitization due to high nickel release from earrings.