The Dermatology Blog

Hi folks, i’m back again. I found a useful article by Theresa Halvorsen ‘How to balance your diet’.The recommended dose of FLAXSEED or LINSEED OIL is 1000mg 1-3 times daily.It DOES contain NICKEL however, the pro’s may out way the cons. We are not going to eliminate nickel completely from our diets or day to day general exposure and linseed does seem to fill in some of the gaps we will find. Linseed contains ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS including omega 3, Linseed aids digestion, acts as a buffer for excess stomach acid and may soothe mouth ulcers and ease constipation. I suffer with a sore mouth from cutlery and solid stools due to the diet so i’m guessing some of you guys maybe having similar side effects such as these.
Linseed contains LIGNANS a class of phytoestrogens which are a natural antioxident, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Linseed contains 100 times more lignans than whole grains (which I have been told to avoid anyway).
Linseed contains B VITAMINS, POTASSIUM, ZINC, IRON, VITAMIN E, CAROTENE, MAGNESIUM, SULFUR, PHOSPHORUS, MANGANESE, SILICON, COPPER, MOLYBENUM(?), CHROMIUM and COBALT, It also aids absorbtion of Calcium. It also contains LECITHEN, FIBRE and Protien, we may find our low nickel diets lacking in fibre.
The effects of FLAXSEED or LINSEED may take up to six weeks to see results positive or negative. I am allergic to cobalt as well as nickel but I am going to ask the dietician about taking it as a supplement and adding it to the food diary so i can note positive or negative results- it’s worth a shot.

BETTY
The ciggies are dangerous first and second hand; there are over 3800 dangerous chemicles in the cigs and the Nickel is in the smoke. I’ve halved my daily amount of rollies but I will struggle to stop altogether.
ANYONE
I was thinking about the veggies on the list and think the growth conditions are the factor. Nickel is a base element so it is in the soil, therefore it transfers to what is growing. If my line of thinking is correct, it is possible to buy soil testing kits- lets all get back to home grown in polly tunnels or greenhouses- then we control the soil, water, compost etc. Any gardeners out there think thats the reason for veggies on the high and low nickel lists….

Just wanted to say that I have been taking ‘Olive leaf extract’ for the last 2 weeks. I have had a nickel allergy for the last couple of years. In the last 6 months it has been the worst it ever was. The Olive leaf extract seems to have strengthened my skin and is no where near as dry, it has moisture now and is by far the best I have seen it in years Hope they stay this way and cant believe how fast it worked. I would recommend that anyone who suffers from any form of skin condition try this product. http://www.olea.com.au/ I use the peppermint flavoured one. I have also been taking evening primrose, fish oil, vitamin c, multi vitamin, drinking aloe vera juice and green tea. I have found asparagus to be great for antioxidant.

I just found a great article that says that we are not actually allergic to nickel, we have nickel problems because of low iron in our blood. Sometime ferritin levels, (iron levels) can be masked by the presence of so much nickel . Nickel depletes us of B2 B12 magnesium copper. If you add these things you might get better. You need to be careful about too much iron, but you MUST take iron and take it with Vit. C. If you take it with calcium you won’t absorb any. Good luck

I’m brand new to the nickel allergy. Just diagnosed in the last week and trying to find a good place to start. (Also new to blogging and most things technical).

I was surprised to find that most of the foods on the “high nickel” content list are foods I like and vice-a-versa for those on the “low nickel” list. Yikes. Any suggestions about where to start?

Dear Kendal,
At the time I was diagnosed, I was a strict vegetarian. That was 4 years ago. The initial shock I experienced over having to stop all of my vegetarian protein sources and replace them with meat was overwhelming. I love all the high nickel foods and like some of the low nickel. So, here is what I suggest and what I did 4 years ago:
Do an elimination diet & cleanse. Slowly add back in one food at a time and see what you react to. It is time consuming and a real pain but it was worth it for me to be able to keep some high nickel foods in my diet that I found I didn’t react to, like wheat & grains.
Lastly, I have found that I cycle through periods of severe reactions and periods where I have little to no reactions. This delights me because I can occasionally return to a plant based diet for a few months before having to return to a meat based diet again.
Everyone has their own of coping. I hope this helps you some.
Pat

@Pat

Thanks for the input, Pat. It does help.

I’ve been looking at nickel-free diets and am finding that confusing. It seems to depend on who is publishing the list: some high nickel lists contain foods that are on another person/organization’s list of allowable foods? Has anyone found a reliable source of information? Also, I’m finding a lot of short lists, so if anyone has something exhaustive or at least extensive I’d appreciate the info. Thanks!

Hi Kendal.

Attached is a link to a website that does have a nice list of low, medium and high nickel content in foods.

I hope it helps!

http://www.melisa.org/nickel.php

Could I also pls get a copy of this nickel free diet.

Regarding supplements I now go with only three – MuscleTech Anator, any decent protein supplement (I change it up) and Acai Fire for Men

Hello, I never reply to these blogs but i found it interesting that you mentioned olive leaf extract. I too have a nickel allergy and was told that asparagus should be avoided as well as salmon (omega3) Now the extract, you are taking it oral or as a oil to rub on?
I have been majorly suffering from my eczema.
Your reply would be greatly appreciated.

@Laura Thompson
Hi thanks for posting your information. I would like to know more if you might have more to share. In March I started with a rash on my lids and neck. the doc did not know what it was. In june I found out my iron was low so I started with iron vit. when rechecking a few weeks later my iron was normal. My rash never want away and now October the rash was bothering me more. Upper lip, lower lip, one side of my face, around both eyes, neck. The doctor did patch test and found out I have an allergy to Nickel. eye lash curler was the problem around my eyes, silver necklace and ear rings, ect. Now I am looking back on how bad I have felt in so long and beleive it could be my nickel food intake. I am tired alot, energy lost, intestinal issues are the worst, gas bloat, and cranky. I will try B 12, vit c and iron along with a nickel free diet. I will try to stay away from all the high nickel foods. If there is any other ideas that can help please contact me.

@Nat boucher
Hi
May I suggest that you take a look at the website http://www.melisa.org.uk
They have a questionnaire and you can complete it and send to them for evaluation. Speaking from experience, they are very helpful. You can pay for a blood test but remember Nickel can be done by patch test too.

You haven’t mentioned but if you have any Crowns or Bridges within your dental restorations, they may be making your reaction to Nickel a lot worse.
I have battled with the nhs for over a year and am finally breaking ground with them and having replacement dental restorations on the nhs.
If you have Crowns or Bridges, you will need to prove Medical Need, so go to your GP to request a patch test for allergic reaction to Nickel – assuming a positive result, your dentist will be able to act and have the Crowns and Bridges replaced with porcelain. I’m having mine done at an nhs Teaching Hospital Dental Institute.

I know how debilitating this can be and I know how it takes a long time to build up and fully show itself. So don’t give up – keep asking the questions and stay strong.

One last thing, you haven’t given your age or family situation but you should also be aware that certain clips used in Sterilisations contain minute amounts of Nickel, and for a Nickel Allergic person this level is too much. I had my operation reversed on the nhs.

I’m now looking at diet to reduce the overload and I know this helps.

I hope all this helps you too.
Good Luck

Hi thanks for your helpfull ideas. Last year I went through alot of stress and think this triggered my problem. I am a 40 years old 114 pound. Married with two children.
I do not have any metals in my mouth. I have noticed some of my hair products have nickel in them,even the ones in bottles. I am a full time hair stylest. I have changes all my products to bottles. I am going to check my cleaning products today.
I have changes my diet to gluten free, meat and cheese. I am scared to try veggies again? I have found alot of gluten free has potatoe flour, chick peas flour in them and dont think I can change this. I am feeling much better since my changes.
My family doctor does not think eating food with nickel in them could cause me any harm. Stange… A year ago before finding out about my nickel Alergy he said I had IBS and fitigue syd. I no longer have these problems. Amazing !!!
I another doctor is helping me with this and we are in the process of sending out my hair to be tested. Testing to see if I have a metal built up.
I was a bit confused yesterday morning why my neck was red again and my eyes lids were puffy.then I remembered I picked up all the can goods I can not loner use and set them aside for my brother to pick up. I am so sensitive.also to my cell phone and had to buy a case for us.
Do you or any one else throw more ides what is ok to eat? thanks a bunch for your support.