For allergy sufferers
chromium allergy
Chromium (potassium dichromate) is a common cause of contact dermatitis because it is present in a variety of substances for industrial and domestic use. The substances that usually contain it are: wet cement (dry is not dangerous), dyes, printing ink, chrome-treated tanned leather, clay (ceramic factories so common in the Lorca area), khaki dyes in textile fibers, carbide (acetylene) for lighting, aniline dyes, manufacture of artificial flowers and electric batteries, brighteners for clothing, both for industrial and domestic use, copy paper for typewriters, ribbons, inks for rubber stamp pads, wood ash, colored candles, photographic developing material, electroplating, manufacture of paints and varnishes, colored chalks and pencils, green tattoos, glaze (earthenware, glass and glass), linoleum, matches, vulcanized rubber, adhesives (especially for carpentry and footwear) and glues, anti-mold compounds, antifreeze, anti-corrosive, galvanized, polishing waxes (shoes, linoleum, mosaics, parquet), Suture material (chrome-plated catgut), furniture polisher, cleaning spray, bitumen, cleaning agents, etc.
Chromium metal does not usually cause allergies. Chromium, cobalt and nickel are often found in the same product, and a person can be allergic to all three
nickel allergy
Adverse reactions to nickel in the skin have been known for decades. However, with the introduction of the euro (the currency that contains this substance in its composition), controversy arose over how much and for how long exposure is needed to trigger an allergic reaction in healthy people.
The Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) has determined that the nickel content in one and two euro coins is not sufficient to cause allergies. Only in certain cases, such as traders, cashiers or bank employees who work in direct and constant contact with coins, could there be a case.
It is known that the exposure required to sensitize individuals to nickel is higher than that required to produce the response in those already sensitized.
Nickel and nickel salts (nickel sulfate) are the most common cause of contact sensitization and are related to the use of silver objects or jewelry containing this metal, in this sense, piercing the ears for the placement of earrings is a very common cause of nickel sensitization. Chromium, cobalt and nickel are often present in the same product and a person can have a joint allergy to these products.
The most common pathology resulting from exposure to nickel is contact dermatitis, which is characterized by the appearance of eczema and inflammation of the skin. The high temperature, sweat and humidity allow this substance to penetrate the skin more easily, which explains why most cases occur in summer.
Nickel is very common, which is why the list of substances it contains is very long:
- Metal objects. Most of them contain nickel, even silver objects or low quality precious metals, they use nickel in their alloy. People allergic to nickel can be the best "detectors" of these contaminants, as they are able to react to minimal amounts of them, which is why they should avoid their use, and some apparently anti-allergic products that contain: nickel silver, white gold, duralium, vitalium, brass alloys or bronze with nickel, copper-nickel alloys, etc. Nickel is found in everyday objects: jewelry, jeans button, kitchen utensils, scissors, watches, belt buckles, metal zippers, doorknobs, eyelash curlers, metal chairs, garters, bra clasps, metal buttons, some stainless steel materials, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, metal glasses, needles, knives, keys, coins, tweezers, canned goods, chrome handles (strollers, umbrellas, canes, canes, coins, tweezers).), knitting needles, tweezers, metal hairpins, Metal rollers, taps, medical instruments, watches, etc.
- Non-metallic objects. Pigments for dyeing leather in the manufacture of shoes, pigments for paints and wallpapers, lacquer paint, paint for glass/crystal/ceramics, varnishes with metallized pigments, soluble fertilizers for domestic use, alkaline batteries, cellulose compounds. Traces of this metal are found in detergents and household cleaners.
Diagnosis of an allergy to chromium or nickel
When you have symptoms as a result of an eczema problem, all you want is for the problem to go away as quickly as possible. Although they are not serious problems, they can be enormously upsetting for the patient suffering from them and can severely limit their quality of life, affecting school or work performance and even the patient's self-esteem.
The first thing you need to do to solve the problem is to find the cause of the symptoms. It should also be noted that the symptoms that characterize an allergy to chromium and nickel are similar to those that appear as a result of other dermatitis or eczema.
If you suspect allergic symptoms, you should consult your primary care physician, who will perform a detailed medical history and physical examination and determine if there are reasons to suspect an allergic disease. In this case, you will be referred to an allergist or dermatologist in your health care area to perform the appropriate tests to confirm the diagnosis.
chromium allergy test
Treatment
(a) Prevention. Treatment of contact dermatitis with chromium or nickel necessarily involves suspension of the causative substance. Although it is sometimes difficult to avoid contact with chromium and nickel, it can be minimized.
For people who are allergic to nickel, there is a test that can be very useful to detect the presence of nickel in the objects with which it usually comes into contact.