Darn Nickel Allergy with Dermatitis / Food allergies

[lahlah]

Hi everyone. I have reactions to food with nickel. I have discovered that in addition to soy, nuts, beans and the other common foods I have also eliminated soybeans oil, canola oil, and other oils. The only oils I have found safe are olive and corn oils. My reactions have stopped when I keep to this strict diet. It helps that I make 99% of my meals as I tryed and couldn't do it with store bought food. My reaction and been going on so long that they have gotten very severe. I have found that I have most every type of reaction: eczema( most types), breathing problems, disoriention and gi problems. My reactions start with in an hour of consuming food and last usually 4 days. I have also found that jewlery is not an option for me. I only have one ring I can wear and it is gold. Shaving is a nightmare. There isn't a razor on the market that wont give me a rash. And lastly, coating the inside of rivets on pants makes a huge difference.

[claireleon]

I have been trying to figure out my allergies for years. I have "itchy skin" off and on. It can be very frustrating. I have done dozens of test. I test positive to nickel sensitivity with the "true test." I am a vegetarian and eat a very healthy diet--which means foods with a fair amount of nickel-even my vitamins had nickel. I tried eliminating high nickel content foods, but that did not really stop my itchiness. I started seeing a Naturopath. We did a different type of food test--using blood samples. We first tested 96 foods. I tested positive for nuts, sesame, dairy, and safflower. There is another test available for another 96 foods-which I plan to do shortly. One of the foods not tested in the first sample was Canola oil.

My naturopath's theory--is that my digestive system is not working properly because of allergies. So--toxins, like nickel are not passing through, they are accumulating. We need to get rid of the allergies--and foods that have some nickel won't be such a problem.

I strongly urge anyone who believes they have a nickel, or other metal sensitivity--to keep looking for an underlying problem.

I am currently tracking everything I eat in a matrix, and color code the good and bad days, based on how I feel. I am quite convinced that in addition to the four foods in the first sample, that canola oil is a problem, there may be other contributors as well. But, I feel SO MUCH BETTER after avoiding the four foods, plus wheat, and canola oil.

I never knew that Canola oil is genetically engineers oil--and it has only been around for 20 years or so. I think I can track my problems to about 17 years ago. This is consistent with the growing popularity of Canola oil in the US.

Best wishes to all who are trying to figure out allergies that cause discomfort.

[phyl]

I to am like you, the lower back pain I think is my kidneys because it happens when I try new food to my very limited diet, if the food is high in nickel I retain fluid (do not p as much). it takes about 24 hours to be able to p as normal, then the pain lessens. my doctor also made me feel like I was going crazy. does anyone know of a doctor specializing in nickel intolerance. like most people with this I am seriously lacking in vitamins. so if anyone knows of any that contain no nickel, post here. Thanks. Phyl UK.

[Leshila]

I have also read that Vitamin C helps soak up some of that nickel.

[sincitychick]

Originally Posted by Tiffany

I to have am allergic to nickel. I think it may be causing dishydrotic eczema. I have severe blistering on the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. The outbreaks seem to be sporadic and I can't find a common link. I am wondering if it is my diet. Does anyone else have this condition along with the nickel allergy. It is very painful.

Painfull- is an understatement. Last year I missed various days of work becasue I was unable to even walk! The blisters where so bad on my hands and feet! I wore white cotton gloves to work to avoid touching anything that might have germs- I got an infection anyway. I tried EVERYTHING! I ate a rice and chicken diet... nothing... tried everything over the counter... nothing... tried various excema medications, lotions, washes... nothing! I tried homepathic stuff! Nothing! I soaked my palms and feet in vinager, bleach/ and TEA! Nothing... I litterly tried everything. I was in so much pain, the blisters were sooooooo deep and then they started cracking and bleeding.. I wanted to die.... and seemed that NO ONE could help me...

Finally my derm figured out that I am allergic to cobalt in foods... and slightly allergic to it touching my skin.... well... I tossed out my stainless steal pots and pan I had just bought- because low and behold.... they have about 30% nickel in them! No more canned food and I haven't had a blow-out-break-out since then! I do occasionally have a few small blisters... I think they are stress related, but one or two comes and then they go....

I totally feel for anyone going through this... It was horrible.

[JMzzr]

Does anyone have a link to a list of foods and the nickel content in each?

[amy13]

Hi all,
My nickel allergy was triggered by my orthodontics. As an adult, I got metal braces, not knowing that I was allergic to nickel. It took two years before we figured it out... in the meantime I suffered daily with chronic fatigue, severe abdominal pain, IBS, and dermatitis. My health and life had deteriorated to a point of almost being an invalid before we discovered the connection. Once the braces were removed, I made a full recovery within a few weeks.

I started a blog about my story, in part after being inspired by this thread. Finding *good* information has been very difficult, so I wanted to share what I've learned. I'm currently experimenting with the low-nickel diet to alleviate my remaining dermatitis, with promising results.
*edit*

[amy13]

Originally Posted by JMzzr

Does anyone have a link to a list of foods and the nickel content in each?

JMzzr -
I'm a new member, so they won't let me post links yet, but Penn State has an online list - google 'Penn State Hershey Medical Low Nickel Diet' to find it.

You should also be able to get a list from your local dermatologist.

You can also google 'I Hate Nickel' - and that takes you to my blog where I try to list what references I've found so far.

If anyone has a better list, I'd love to know as well!

[Thunder Girl]

Originally Posted by Tiffany

I to have am allergic to nickel. I think it may be causing dishydrotic eczema. I have severe blistering on the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. The outbreaks seem to be sporadic and I can't find a common link. I am wondering if it is my diet. Does anyone else have this condition along with the nickel allergy. It is very painful.

Hi Tiffany; I have the exact same thing as you--diagnosed with dishydrotic eczema, with severe blistering on palms of hands and bottoms of feet. My hands also crack open. While I don't have a cure, I have found that soaking in a hot bath and putting vaseline on afterward has helped a bit. I'm also using Clobetasol cream for the small, bad spots. I don't know what is causing this, but I am interested in learning whatever you know. I have cut dairy out of my diet and it doesn't seem to be working. Any ideas you might have--or anyone reading this--would be greatly appreciated.

[atvfan]

Hey there sounds like we have something in commom. Just found this site yesterday and this is the only post read yet. Tell me if this sounds familiar. Little brown dots deep in the skin. Some in large patches on the hands and feet. After a few weeks The skin comes off leaving new skin. Normal skin folds crack due to the thick patches and bleed sometimes. Itchy at times but not all the time. Very embarrasing and looks horrible.
Mine started roughly 3 years ago. Went to the dermatologist afew times. The steroid creams worked but it always came back. Went another dermatologist and more cream. Took me about a year to figure out that nickel was causing it. One day I went into my shop to get something out of a file caninet. A few minutes later my hand was tingling. That was it! All my beloved tools, all the change in my pocket, the hose nozzle, even the handles on my cabinets were my enemy. If you guys handle coins, use file cabinets, or have brushed nickel or chrome fixtures they could be the problem. Allerderm sells a nickel test kit that reveals the hidden menace. I would cover my hands in eucerin put on powderless nitrile gloves and do my thing. Sweat dissolves nickel and its absorbed through the skin. I still have problems with it and am learning alot from others posts here.