A Skin Allergy to Nickel: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions

By Crystal sky Experience

" When my son was just a baby he developed red circles where the snaps of his pajamas came in contact with his skin, but I didn't know why, and a skin allergy didn't enter my mind. I thought maybe the snaps were rough, or maybe he had laid on them, and it wasn't until he started wearing jeans with metal buttons that I figured out he was allergic to nickel and other types of cheap metal. I began dressing him in undershirts to avoid a problem, and I didn't think of the possibility of a skin allergy until he was a little older.

Allergy Symptoms

My son was a toddler when I began dressing him in jeans, and he developed a rash on his abdomen that looked similar to a serious burn or a large blister. The location of this rash was where the metal button on his jeans came in contact with his skin. I didn't know what the problem was right away, but after it began occurring on a regular basis, I figured out he was allergic to nickel and other types of cheap metal.

My son is now 12 years old, and I recently asked him to describe how it feels to have a rash caused by cheap metal such as nickel, and he said it's quite painful at times. Not only does it hurt since the skin is peeling, inflamed, and very irritated, but clothing irritates the area even more and causes additional pain. It's important for those who think they are allergic to nickel or other types of cheap metal to prevent contact with nickel or other types of metal to avoid painful skin eruptions in the first place.

Solutions for Snaps and Metal Buttons

Since my son practically lives in jeans with cheap metal snaps, probably made from nickel, I had to find a solution to prevent the snaps from coming in contact with his skin and causing painful allergic reactions. My ex husband came up with the idea of covering the backs of the snaps with duct tape, and this plan works like a charm. Duct tape is a very versatile product, and it enables my son to wear his favorite jeans with cheap metal buttons and snaps. We cut squares of duct tape to cover the buttons and snaps, and since the adhesive is strong, the squares stay on, even while washing and drying his clothes. When the squares begin peeling off, we replace them with new ones.

Items We Take for Granted

Before I realized my son had a skin allergy to nickel and other cheap types of metal, I took for granted many everyday items. Because of his skin allergy, my son can't wear a watch since most have cheap metal buckles. Because of his allergy to nickel, my son can't wear most types of belts. Belt buckles made of nickel or studded with other cheap types of metal cause seriously painful blister-like abrasions. He can't wear neck chains or many other types of jewelry either, unless they're made from titanium or gold. Because of his allergy to nickel and other cheap types of metal, my son couldn't have the eyeglasses he wanted, and I had to purchase plastic frames that he didn't really want. While he slept one night, his hand accidentally came in contact with his cheap metal bed frame, and as a result of his skin allergy, he developed a painful rash on his hand. These are just some of the experiences my son has had, and even ordinary everyday items can cause serious problems for those with an allergy to nickel and other cheap types of metal."