People who are severely allergic to nickel, as from earrings or belt buckles, can actually develop a rash from eating foods high in nickel.
In particular, chronic hand dermatitis has been associated with eating foods high in nickel in patients with a known allergy. If you are allergic to nickel and have a chronic rash, especially of your hands, then consider a nickel-free diet. Try to avoid:
- Chocolate
- Potatoes
- Salmon
- Nuts and Legumes (beans, lentils)
- Any canned food or canned fruit
- Hot water from the tap
- Anything acidic (like tomatoes) cooked in a stainless steel pan
- Leafy green vegetables
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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.
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.
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.
@Laura Thompson
Laura Thompson, can you tell me where you read that article, I would love to read it too. I know I have always had low iron levels, all my life, with no explanations..
@Kim
Hi Kim,
A year ago I found out that I am allergice to nickel, colbalt, zinc and gold! (I wear gold earrings 24/7 but they don’t bother me! my doctor was shocked) I have stayed away from nickel the best I can but, I am still breaking out. Nothing has seemed to work that I have gotten from my doctor. Do you think you could send me your diet so, I can give it a try? I am getting very depressed with this. I never have never been allergic to anything in my life, I am 54 years old, but ever since I had the patch test, (I went to the doctor with 2 spots on me), had they patch test and now I have at least 20 or more spots. I think the patch test made it worse. I would really appreciate it if you would send me the diet. Thank you so much! Take Care and God Bless….Pam
I have recently found out that I’m allergic to nickel.I get spots on my arms and on my knees also on the back of my calves.When I start itching those area’s it is worse!It seeme to be worse at night!I’m a vegatarian,so a lot of my food has nickel in it!You mention that you take olive leaf,do you take it oral and do you put it on your body?
I’ve always had a reaction to nickel in jewelry but have been struggling with skin rashes/itching for 4 years. I was recently told by a dermatologist (new one, yay, the old one couldn’t figure out my problem) that it was the nickel in the food I was eating. I think he was spot on – eating a low nickel diet has significantly helped my skin issues. I had a head to toe dry, leathery, itchy, itchy, itchy rash! I do struggle with the diet from time to time – it is quite restrictive and I love to cook and have always considered myself a “foodie”! Anyway, my question is: are there other health issues besides the ecsema (sp.?)involved with a sensitivity to the nickel in my system? I’m just wondering, because as I read from someone else on this site, I am willing to deal with the skin issues occasionally to be able to “splurge” from time to time with my diet! Also, my derm. prescribed a cream called CeraVe (25% medicine, 75% moisturizer) for my rash – very nice and very effective! I know some are worried about topical steroid cream use – any insight to this? My derm. has assured me this cream is safe for long term use. Thanks and good luck to everyone! I’ve decided I’m not going to let this get me down – my husband has been battling late stage colon cancer and we are currently having hospice care for him – there are worse things in life!
Oh, my derm. added clobetasol (I guess this is the med. part) to the CeraVe cream.
@Kim
Hi Kim, my daughter has had a sudden onset of all the skin symptoms relating to Nickel allergy.
PLEASE EMAIL THIS DIET YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ASAP
Reading into it, it seems she may have had this for a while – lethargy, insomnia, dry skin… maybe now her body has decided at (nearly) 16y.o. that it’s time to go crazy about it. The poor girl is very stressed out about it, and having suffered shingles a few years back, we don’t want her missing out on more school/social life again.
Has anyone noticed this seems to run in the family???
Thanks to everyone who has posted comments, this is a fantastic site for personal accounts into what works and what doesn’t. Good luck to all suffering – hope they sort out a good remedy soon for everyone.
Hi!
I’ve recently been diagnosed with a severe allergy as well as everyone else on here. I’ve had the same problem determining what has nickel and what doesn’t based on all of the conflicting lists that are all over the internet. I’ve noticed that many of you have asked Kim to send you her nickel free diet. Since Kim originally posted her comment in July 2008 and the most recent request for her to email it was Feb 2010 I was wondering if she is still keeping up with this message board and emailing the diet list when its requested. Are you (those still reading) having any luck in receiving a diet…whether from Kim or someone else? If so, could someone send it to me? Thanks so much! I have much more symptoms than just the skin issues, so I am desperate to begin the process of getting the nickel out of my body so that we can begin to tell what the nickel is causing and what symptoms must be caused from something else. I’ll appreciate any help anyone can give. Thanks!
I had a hair analysis done recently that showed an elevated level of nickel and cobalt. I had never heard of dietary nickel being a cause of eczema (and asthma, for some) until I googled it. The vitamins I started taking about eight years ago (Centrum) contain nickel and I was trying to eat a whole foods diet which contained many of the high nickel foods. I plan to see an allergist to see if I test sensitive to nickel but in the meanwhile, I’m switching to a lower nickel diet and using oral chelation to see if that helps. Here are some nickel synergists and nickel antagonists if anyone is interested.
http://www.acu-cell.com/nico2.html
I have a severe nickel allergy. Y3ears ago it used to be on my hands and especially around my cuicles. My hand bled and looked terrible. I went on a course of Cortezone injections, every six weeks. This helped a lot. Eventually i reduced it to two injections ayear. However it has now flared up again but on my legs. Def diet related according to blood tests. Got detailed diet from my dermatologist but like a few of you have mentioned, there is conflicting info on the net.
laurie trefethen: I just read your comments. I also get it on the back of my calves…insanely itchy..I am permanently bruised. I would imagine that being a vegetarian that you probably eat a lot of legumes, sprouts, beans (all kinds) etc. Unfortunately these are the worst for a nickel allergy. As are all the green leafy veg like lettuce etc. Do you eat dairy? (all dairy as long as not flavoured like some yogurt is good) Also no bran, wholemeal or any of that. But white flour ok in samll quantities. Rye flour supposed to be ok but no Rye Bran…not easy but it does seem to work! Good luck
Hello,
by any chance can someone email me this diet at daisydlt@yahoo.com! i am not allergic to nickel but my mother is and i would like to help her w/her severe itchiness! please email this to me. My mom is freaking out because she is a major choclate fan icluding recess peanut butter cup
thank you,
Daisy
im very sorry the email is daisydlt13@yahoo.com thank you and sorry for the confusion
I’ve been allergic to nickel for 5 years and I didn’t realize that alluminum and titanium is in sunscreen which I’m assuming why I’m broke out all over after just getting back from Dominican repupblic and wearing sunscreen 2 two 3 times a day all over. Anyway just wanted to let you no incase you don’t look at the ingredients
I too have a nickel allergy and gold and aluminum! Breads, colas, caffeine, nicotine and raw vegetables are biggies on the NO CAN HAVE LIST.
Also, sparingly use tuna or canned veggies. Breads: no whole wheat, no white, pumpernickel, rye, italian or french breads at all….fish is a problem, too. Iodine.
With a gold allergy reaction, it usually is not at the site (can be tho’) with the gold, I have scars here and there.
I am also allergic to titanium as well after having brain surgery with a long exposure, half of my head and face are still itching and swelling after 6 years…. Not all O R instruments are 100% stainless steel!! There is still a small percentage of nickel content.
Also a big problem is gold and nickel makeup and makeup lids. Ask Maybelline for info on make up.
Oops, almost forgot! Also, don’t forget acidic foods, tomato sauces and gravies!!!
@barb
Awesome. Thank you for sharing!
Being a vegetarian and health nut, I was shocked to find out that the healthy foods I was eating were actually making me sick! I’m wondering if anybody has any input about low nickel foods that are high in iron and/or fiber?
Here’s what I’ve been eating a lot of:
Fruit (apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, acai berry)
Probiotic yogurt
Egg whites
Cheese (swiss, goat, feta, mozzarella)
Veggies (bok choy, zucchini, eggplant, squash, peppers, radishes)
Quinoa
Unbleached enriched wheat bread
I’d like to eat more veggies, but I’m not sure what is safe to eat. Since lowering my nickel intake, I have experienced less fatigue and much less digestive issues. The low nickel diet is crazy strict, especially for vegetarians, I wish someone would compile a list of what you CAN eat instead of what you can’t.
I suspect I have a nickel allergy. Symptoms: rashes, dishydrotic eczema on hands, eczema on eyelids, arms and around mouth. I just took my earrings out today. I have used cortizone in the past to control the rashes and they left, but never for good. I know steroids are not good for me long term so I’m trying to stay away from them altogether. I am going grocery shopping tomorrow, and what can I eat? I have no idea! How do you get adequate nutrients without eating leafy green veggies?
Someone send me the diet please.
I have had a rash all over-especially at the waist which I now know is from nickel in my persperation. I found a list that the fda analyzed the metal counts in foods. Since I am in the USA I think this is the most accurate. I am trying to avoid any food with more than .08 of nickel.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/TotalDietStudy/UCM184301.pdf
I went through this list and made my own list of foods from lowest nickel to highest.
Pam, Thanks for the FDA website. Which column should I be looking at though?
I’ve had dyshydrotic eczema for years, but I never put a name on it until about a week ago when I had the worst outbreak of my life. My air conditioner broke and I’ve been in 80 degree plus temps non stop (not good for this condition, just so you know!)
I figured out a while ago eggs made it flare up, but I didn’t realize until I looked at the list on the MELISA site that it’s the nickel IN the eggs giving me the problem!
I’m thrilled I finally know what this is, what is causing it, and how to attack it, but YIKES on going nickel free. I have ton of other food allergies, so what little I can actually eat is all a no-no!
I’m going to start an elimiation diet until this break out clears up, then add things back one by one to see what causes a flare and what doesn’t.
Thanks to PAM for that FDA list. Very helpful.
I just learned that to make hydrogenated oils they use nickel to process the oil. I had already realized that I react to hydrogenated oils and I am guessing that the nickel processing is the reason.
I know that the soil in which fruits and vegetables are grown affects the nickel content. Does anyone have any idea how to find out what areas in the United States might have low levels of nickel in the soil?
I also have had a nickel allergy since I was in my pre-teen years. I am now 46, and have tried to avoid items I know cause flare-ups. Earlier this year, I developed a rash that I thought was contact dermatitis from nickel products. The rash continually got worse; I have been to the emergency room numerous times between regular dermatology visits because the itch-pain cycles were driving me insane. Losing sleep, etc. I have been diagnosed with dyshydrotic eczema which effects only the hands and feet. The cycles start with deep seated blisters that form into large bulla. When they rupture, I have very deep seated serous fluid oozing swapped up with bleeding from the sores. My hands and feet get so swollen all activities are impossible and terribly painful. I am resigning myself to going on a nickel free diet which I hope will help. I find that cotton gloves with extreme moisterizer (I use Medipeds lotion, Cetaphil and Triderma). When I have to do work around the house or yard and take showers, I buffer my hands with the cotton gloves, and layer a set of nitrile gloves over them for 15-20 min. increments. I am allergic to laytex, and rubber, plastic gloves aggravate my hands intensely without the cotton. Luke warm to cool water baths have helped me immensely. I also limit my handwashing to twice a day and then just let the water run over them. No rubbing! Watch your feet when showering for the metal drain (I think this has made it effect the soles of my feet). Avoid heat, and cut out stress as possible. I use clobetsol as a topical steroid cream. It seems to help until the deep fissures develop, and then I have to stop using it. I have been through 5 major rounds of oral steroids intermingled with massive steroid injections. Is there any thing else I can do?? I work in a hospital in a nonclinical setting, so my last option is U.V. treatment. The longterm psoriasis (sp?) medicine is not an option, because my derm. informed me it shreds the immune system. Got enough problems now! Also, can you recommend a website online that covers household items and daily use items that are nickel free.
Pam, Thanks for that FDA website. Which column should I pay attention to–the Mean or the Median? Not sure what the Std Dev column shows.
Hello Jo Ann, I’ve seen your post about which column to be looking at. I had the same question. I googled mean vs. median and got these definitions:
Median: The middle value of a set of values.
Mean: The arithmetic average, computed by adding up a collection
of numbers and dividing by their count. Hope that helps.
My situation is different. My partner, who is 35 has just had her third knee replacement, because the surgeon prior to the current one put in a partial and a total knee before that contained Nickel. After the last surgery three weeks ago, she was still breaking out. Since then we have cut out canned food, stopped cooking in our pots, replaced her deoderant. She already has been using Cereve soap, Vanicream lotion, and an amazing steroid cream, which also happens to immediately relieve my painful feet from Rheumatoid Arthritis. We are hoping to get her completely off steroids soon, as her bones are already soft from long term high dose prednisone use. This fda list is by far the most comprehensive list I’ve seen as far as food goes. Does anyone know of something similar for other products, such as toothpaste, soaps, household products, herbal cigarettes?