Nickel allergy: When what you eat can hurt you
What is Nickel? Nickel is a metal that is widespread in nature and is present in almost all objects, from coins to cosmetics, jewelry, and food, from utensils to water pipes.
This mineral is capable of causing an 'allergy on its contact (DAC: systemic contact dermatitis), but also a reaction following the ingestion of certain foods containing it. The combination of the two different types of reactions is called SNAS (nickel allergy system syndrome).
The first skin symptom that may lead one to suspect a possible nickel reaction is the appearance of dermatitis that manifests as redness, itching, hives, and burning. However, additional (extra-cutaneous) symptoms such as headache, asthma, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation may occur, which are closely related to the ingestion of foods containing this metal.
What to do then?
The first test to be performed for diagnosis of nickel allergy is the PATCH TEST: patches containing the metal in question are placed on the individual's skin for 48/72 h. The appearance of redness or pimples will indicate the allergic condition. If the test is positive, it is essential to proceed with diet therapy from elimination of foods higher in nickel (it is impossible to eliminate it altogether), and then gradually replenish them once symptoms have been assessed. The goal is to detoxify the body from the accumulation of this metal.
Some dietary directions:
- Avoid cocoa, chocolate, whole grain flours, oats, nuts, soy, fresh and dried legumes
- Avoid canned foods unless they are Nickel Free
- Prefer foods of animal origin (meat, fish, eggs) instead of vegetable because they contain less nickel
- Prefer rice, refined flours, potatoes
- Consume low-nickel milk and dairy products
- Prefer garlic, beet(in moderation), beets (in moderation), carrots (in moderation), cucumbers, chicory, turnip greens, green beans (in moderation), fava beans, fennel, iceberg, endive, capuchin salad, eggplant, potato, sweet potato, peppers, radicchio, radishes, celery, shallots, valerian, songino, squash, zucchini.
- Prefer bananas, apples and citrus fruits
- Allowed apple and rice vinegar; oil (olive, extra virgin olive, rice)
- Prefer cake ammonia, baking soda, cream of tartar, sourdough without brewer's yeast
- Tea and coffee moderately
- Bottled water (tap water should be run a lot to get rid of the nickel in the pipes, although it is best to avoid because of the presence of chlorine and other additives in it)
