Nickel allergy: what to know and how to behave

The number of people suffering from nickel allergy grows every year: now 20% of the population has a confirmed sensitivity to this metal in the form of contact dermatitis; of these, 30% develop systemic multi-organ manifestations over time (gastrointestinal, urinary, gynecological, and neurological symptoms).

Nickel allergy affects both children and adults indiscriminately: the most at-risk subjects are especially women (more exposed to nickel-containing jewelry), workers in contact with nickel-containing materials (beauticians, hairdressers, workers in metallurgical industries), people with an atopic genetic predisposition.

The presence of nickel in many everyday objects leads to multiple and constant exposure to this metal: this explains the high rate of both localized and systemic allergic sensitization.

Attention! Nickel allergy can develop at any age precisely because of constant contact with objects containing nickel.

Where is nickel found?

Nickel is a metal widely used to make:

• Common everyday objects (glasses, coins, buttons, pots, kitchen utensils)
• Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, watches)
• Body hygiene products (soaps, creams, cosmetics)
• Household products

In nature, the presence of nickel is widespread in soil and water in varying percentages depending on agricultural techniques used and environmental pollution. It is therefore also found in many plant-based foods that absorb it from the soil.

Contact and systemic allergy: what to do

In case of contact allergy, it is important to avoid contact as much as possible with:

• Steel objects
• Personal hygiene products
• Detergents
• Cosmetics containing nickel

Always check the INCI (ingredient list) of products.

In the case of systemic allergy, the situation becomes more complicated because it involves diet. Allergic individuals must follow a diet containing less than 250 μg of nickel per day.

Nickel-rich foods to avoid:

• Cocoa
• Tomato (especially canned)
• Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)
• Avocado
• Dried fruit (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts)
• Commercial jams
• Whole grains and flours, oats
• Margarine
• Green beans, apricots, cabbage, spinach, asparagus, pears, mushrooms, corn, lettuce
• Baking powder

Recommended foods:

• Radicchio, endive, lamb's lettuce, fennel, eggplants, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, beets
• Fruits: watermelon, melon, citrus fruits, peaches, bananas, strawberries, grapes
• Milk and dairy products (only if there is no lactose intolerance)
• Type 00 flour (only if not celiac)
• Meat of any kind
• Fish (excluding mussels, plaice, and crustaceans)
• Brewer's yeast

Attention to rice: it should be cooked in nickel-free pots, because it absorbs a lot of water.

For tomatoes, you can consider using those from hydroponic cultivation (a more expensive but safe option).

Which pots to use?

To cook healthily and safely, it is essential to carefully choose the tools for cooking and food storage.

Recommended materials:

• Titanium
• Pyrex
• Glass
• Uncoated ceramic

Materials to avoid:

• Stainless steel cookware (release nickel during long cooking, especially with acidic foods)

Note: Teflon and aluminum are not harmful to those allergic to nickel, but they may have other contraindications (see this article).

Why choose Tritania

We at Tritania believe that our cookware is the ideal cooking tool for:

• Those who are allergic or intolerant to nickel
• Those with atopic predisposition

The pure titanium cooking surface of Tritania cookware is nickel-free and totally biocompatible, therefore safe for health.

One last consideration: the recognition of the disease

In Italy, nickel allergy (DAC and SNAS) is not yet recognized as a disabling chronic disease. If it were, patients could:

• Obtain timely diagnoses
• Access specific treatments and therapies more quickly
• Receive adequate dietary support
• Benefit from more specific training for general practitioners
• Access specialized clinics
• Contribute to the promotion of research and epidemiological monitoring
• Participate in awareness campaigns on the safe use of materials

Take care of your health: choose consciously every day!