In allergy to nickel, a mineral that is part of the composition of jewelry and accessories, it is necessary to avoid, in addition to the use of metal in earrings, necklaces and bracelets or watches, also the excessive consumption of foods such as bananas, peanuts and chocolate, in addition to avoiding the use metal kitchenware containing nickel.
Nickel allergy causes symptoms such as itching and redness of the skin, and arises especially in women in their teens or early adulthood. See other causes of itchy skin.
Nickel-rich foods
Foods that are rich in nickel and should be avoided, especially in times of crisis of the disease are:
- Fruits: banana, pear, peach, cherry, dried fruit; Legumes: soy, peanuts, peas, beans; Vegetables: asparagus, parsley, onion, lettuce, mushrooms, cabbages, spinach, tomatoes; Dairy products: whey, cheese and margarine; Fish: herring, tuna, sardines and mackerel; Crustaceans: lobster, shrimp, crab, oysters and mussels; Sauces: ketchup, vinegar and soy; Drinks: coffee, tea, cocoa, wine, beer and fruit juices, especially acidic fruits; Others: baking powder, canned foods, pickled vegetables.
These foods should be avoided or consumed with great care, avoiding their excess and observing the appearance of the symptoms of the disease. In general, it takes about 6 weeks without these foods in the diet for the symptoms of the allergy to disappear.
Nickel-rich objects
In addition to food, some objects are also rich in nickel and can cause irritation and itching of the skin, such as earrings, necklaces, rings, buttons and metallic clasps in pants and blouses, glasses, watch straps and kitchen utensils, especially stainless steel pots.
In general, the allergy caused by objects is milder than that generated by the consumption of foods rich in nickel, but it is necessary to observe the appearance of symptoms on the skin and, if necessary, suspend the use of these objects.
Nickel allergy symptoms
In general, nickel allergy causes symptoms such as skin irritation, itching and sores, especially in the eyelids, neck, arms and fingers, in the palms, in the groin, in the inner thighs, in the folds knees and soles.
To confirm if it is really nickel allergy, it is necessary to have an allergy test prescribed and accompanied by an allergist or dermatologist, who can also test other substances and foods to assess if there are more causes for dermatitis. See how the allergy test is done.
