Allergy to metals

Local irritation on the back of a 16-year-old girl in the area of ​​the bra fastener has been persisting since summer for 6 months. For the first time, redness and slight itching appeared while relaxing on the beach.

At the place of contact of the clasp from the swimsuit, multiple small papules with transparent contents appeared, a feeling of itching and a slight burning sensation joined, the girl gradually scratched the focus of redness. The process is restarted periodically.

Allergic reactions of the body –  are by no means a rare phenomenon. There are various types of allergic reactions, the causes of which can be a variety of allergens (depending on the specific case). One type of allergy is an allergy to metals. What metals can you be allergic to? How to identify a metal allergy? What should I do if I have a metal allergy? What metals most often cause allergies and how to protect yourself from metal allergies? 

Could it be a metal allergy? How to eliminate its consequences?  

The described case – this is an example of allergic contact dermatitis to metal. Most often, allergens are metals such as: nickel (!), cobalt, chromium, copper and molybdenum — materials from which jewelry is made, fasteners and zippers, belt buckles, watch straps. Often these metals are added to precious metal alloys in products made of gold, silver and even platinum.  

When in contact with the surface of the skin, metal molecules can penetrate into the surface layer – the epidermis, where the process of the immune response of the skin and the inflammatory reaction is triggered, which manifests itself in the form of allergic rashes to foreign components. The situation is aggravated by sweating or increased secretion of the sebaceous glands, which become a direct conductor of metal particles into the skin.

Metal Allergy Treatment:

1. Be sure to limit contact with metal objects as much as possible. In the conditions of modern life, this is extremely difficult to do, since nickel – main allergen – is a part of almost all household items and even products.  To reduce the intake of nickel in food, you should: avoid cooking with stainless steel utensils. Enamel, glass, ceramic or clay utensils are acceptable. For cooking, it is necessary to take water from sources, limit the consumption of acid-containing foods (sauerkraut, sour cucumbers, rhubarb, spinach, sauerkraut, citrus fruits, currants). Food should be stored in porcelain or glass containers.
2. Maximum keep areas of skin prone to allergic rashes as clean as possible. Use gentle personal care products designed for sensitive and allergic skin.
3. With extensive clinical manifestations of contact dermatitis on metals, the use of topical corticosteroid ointments (Lcoid, Advantan, Afloderm) and antihistamines (Erius, Telfast, Allertec) is indicated.  Preparations based on corticosteroids are applied once a day for 5-7 days, if necessary, the course can be extended up to 3-4 weeks. Topical corticosteroids should be prescribed strictly under medical supervision!  Antihistamines are taken orally 1-2 tab. Per day 5-7 days. Medical and cosmetic products play a special role in the treatment and protection of affected areas. Some of them help create a protective barrier that prevents the penetration of allergens into the skin (Uriage Barjederm Cream), others relieve itching and redness (LaRoche-posay Lipikar cream or Phisiogel lotion).  

For the first time, sensitization, the primary contact with allegren, occurs in childhood, and clinical manifestations can be delayed for months and years. Be attentive to the health of your skin and seek advice from a specialist in a timely manner.