Therapy of nickel allergy
The nickel allergy is not curable. The therapy therefore consists mainly of avoiding contact with allergenic substances as far as possible. Since cigarettes also contain small amounts of nickel, those affected should not smoke.
In severe cases of nickel allergy, it can also help to change one’s diet and avoid foods that contain high levels of nickel. However, this diet is difficult to follow and is controversial even among experts. It should definitely be discontinued if it does not show any effect after one or two months.
The treatment of contact eczema of nickel allergy is carried out with anti-inflammatory agents such as glucocorticoids (the most important representative here is cortisol). In addition, antihistamines are used in the form of ointments and creams, which also help to reduce the body’s allergic reaction. This reduces itching and accelerates the healing of the rash.
Even though the itching can be very severe in some cases, scratching should be avoided if possible, as it delays healing and promotes the development of infections. If an allergic reaction to an implant or a prosthesis has occurred, it must be replaced immediately with an appropriate nickel-free preparation. Cortisone is an extremely versatile active ingredient that is used to control a disproportionately strong immune reaction.
Very often it is used for allergies, and here again especially for acute allergic reactions. Cortisone can therefore also be used in the case of a nickel allergy in an acute reaction, such as a reaction of the skin to contact with nickel. However, as soon as the rash, redness and itching of the allergic reaction have subsided, the use of cortisone should also be discontinued.
Regular use for the prophylaxis of allergic reactions is not common because of the side effects of cortisone. In addition to avoiding foods containing nickel and metallic objects that contain or could contain nickel, another helpful measure for preventing an allergic reaction is skin care. Dry skin quickly tends to crack, which may be so small that they are not visible to the naked eye.
If nickel penetrates these cracks, a stronger allergic reaction usually occurs quickly. A sufficiently good skin barrier therefore also serves to protect the body in this case. If the contact eczema has already occurred due to the allergy, one can try to alleviate it with oils containing vitamin E or active plant ingredients such as evening primrose oil.
These active ingredients can be applied externally locally at the appropriate place. Also the inflammation-retardant effect of Omega-3-Fettsäuren is well-known for many years. These are taken with the food and are contained in particularly high concentration in fatty fish and vegetable oils such as linseed oil and avocado.
The consumption of such foods can therefore be used to support healing as well as prevention. Those who wish to treat nickel allergy with homeopathic substances can resort to the remedies Niccolum metallicum or Niccolum sulfatum. Both are compounds containing nickel in their original substance.Since the homeopathic teachings aim to treat “like with like”, these compounds are used to treat an allergic reaction caused by nickel.
Niccolum metallicum is preferably used when the acute reaction to nickel manifests itself in a skin reaction and itching. Niccolum sulfuricum is indicated when the allergic reaction causes severe sweating. In such acute cases a low C-potency such as C4 should be given, three globules are usually sufficient. In order to establish a long-term therapy of nickel allergy, higher potencies should be chosen.
