Are Nickel & Iron Oxide the same thing?

I must admit that I am not a chemistry student.  Nope, in college, I took Physics instead.  So I don't have a big understanding of the periodic table and how elements work together, what comes from what, and so on.

When my allergist discussed the results of the 5 day allergy test, she said I was severely allergic to nickel and iron oxide.  I didn't know if nickel and iron oxide were different names for the same thing. Every time I would Google this question, the results were all directed toward the chemist.  I couldn't understand what those sites were stating. I kind of gathered that nickel and iron oxide are somehow connected, yet different.  

 

Here is an example of the results for a search for how is nickel iron similar to iron oxide:
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/cm501881a

 BUT the great part is that the author uses the phrase "nickel iron oxide"

Mixed nickel iron oxide nanomaterials have great potential for use in fields as wide-ranging as optics, water oxidation catalysis, and biomedical applications

So it seems that nickel and iron oxide are the same thing.

Well I recently found some answers to my questions about nickel and iron oxide. 

Iron is a metallic element with the chemical symbol Fe, and is one of the most prolific and commonly occurring mineral substances on Earth. Scientists estimate that is found in approximately 5% of the planet’s crust, and exists in its core, too. Iron turns to iron oxide when it comes into contact with oxygen, either on its own or in combination with other elements like water. When the mineral is exposed to water and air for extended periods of time it will usually produce rust, which is a reddish-brown oxide.

           http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-iron-oxide.htm

 Nickel is classified as a transition metal. Transition metals are elements between Groups 2 (metals) and 13 (non-metals) in the periodic table. The periodic table is a chart that shows how chemical elements are related to one another. Nickel is closely related to iron, cobalt, copper, and zinc. These metals are close to nickel in the periodic table.

http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements

Some people have combination allergies (ME!)

People with nickel allergy may also be allergic to iron oxide, gluten, soy, latex, aluminum, and other items.  If you have an allergy to nickel, you might also check to see if you are allergic to iron oxide.

When do I risk exposure to Nickel?

Nickel is used for nickel alloys, electroplating, batteries, coins, industrial plumbing, spark plugs, machinery parts, stainless-steel, nickel-chrome resistance wires, and catalysts. It is also found in objects used daily: zippers, watchbands, jewelry, musical instruments, belt buckles, razors, and kitchen utensils.

 

 

When do I risk exposure to Iron Oxide?

Many cosmetics include Iron Oxide, as a way to provide the coloring agent. Face makeup, hair color, ink pens, erasable markers, paint, tattoo ink, laptops, magnets, fertilizer, and more.
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=449

So if you have nickel allergy, have taken care to eliminate daily exposure, but STILL have skin irritation, THEN take a minute to consider whether iron oxide is also an irritant. That is the case for me, and it turns out my iron oxide allergy has been an equal contributor to my chronic conjunctivitis and rosacea.  And my whole daily routine with cosmetics has changed as a result.

I would love to hear about your experiences with skin allergies.  Just leave a comment below.

Diet and Nickel Allergy

Nickel In Food

Food is considered to be a major source of nickel exposure for the general population. Nickel content in food varies considerably from place to place due to the difference in nickel content of the soil. 

 

However, certain foods are predictably high in nickel content. When a nickel-sensitive person  eats  foods that are high in nickel content, it can provoke dermatitis.  A person with nickel allergy can improve dermatitis responses by making a concentrated effort to reduce the amount of nickel content in his diet. Reducing daily nickel content in food will make a positive impact dermatitis and allergic responses

      http://csironewsblog.com/tag/nickel/

Nickel is found in soil, water, air and in the biosphere. The concentration of nickel normally encountered is as follows:

Soil 5-500 grams (may be higher locally)

Plant tissue 0.5-5 grams (may be higher locally)

Animal tissue 0.1-5 grams

Fresh water 5-100 grams per litre

         Relationship Between Nickel and Diet


                       

Land plant tissue contains four times more nickel than that of animal tissues. This is because most of the human food that comprises both plants and animals acquire their nutrition from soil; therefore, the nickel content of food is strongly influenced by the concentration of nickel in the soil. The concentration of nickel in the soil varies from place to place. Some of the important factors that influence the concentration of nickel in soil are: 1.Type of soil

2.Use of modern agricultural practices such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides

 3.Contamination of soil with industrial effluents and urban wastes

 4.Distance of the soil from the nickel smelters

Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology

http://flipper.diff.org/app./items/info/5325

 

Foods That Are High In Nickel Content

Whole wheat, whole grain, rye, oat, millet, buckwheat, cocoa, chocolate, tea, gelatin, baking powder, soy products, red kidney beans, legumes: peas, lentils, peanut, soya beans and chickpeas, dried fruits, canned foods, beverages, strong licorice, and certain vitamin supplements

                Other foods containing considerable amount of nickel

Beer, red wine, mackerel, tuna, herring and shellfish, sunflower seeds, linseeds, hazelnuts, marzipan, walnuts, tomatoes, onion, raw carrots

Implementing a Low-Nickel Diet

Nickel is a  trace metal that is found everywhere. You must face the fact that nickel cannot be completely avoided from your diet. However, careful selection of foods that are relatively low in nickel concentration can bring a reduction in the total dietary intake of nickel per day.

1. Avoid all foods that are routinely high in nickel content
2. Avoid all drinks, vitamin supplements & canned food with high nickel content. Nickel from the can may raise the nickel content of the food.
3. Since animal tissues generally contain less nickel than plant tissues, make sure to eat plenty of animal protein. Meat, poultry & eggs are suitable for low nickel diet.Most fish can be included in a low-nickel diet (except tuna, herring, shellfish, salmon and mackerel).
4. Milk products, such as butter, cheese, curd and cottage cheese
   are low in nickel.
5. Nickel content of cereals is low. Rice (polished), refined wheat or corn (corn flakes, macaroni, etc.) are allowed.
6. Eat vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, & cucumber. Use onion and garlic in moderation. Green leafy vegetables may be eaten sparingly due to the possibility of high concentration of nickel.
7. Fruits: Apples (may eat 3-4 times per week), oranges (may eat 3-4 times per week), bananas (may be eaten 1 time per week).
8. Tea and coffee may be consumed in weaker concentration, these beverages can be taken in moderation (up to 2 cups a day).
9. While cooking, the following things have to be considered:
   
   (a) Nickel-plated utensils should not be used and should be replaced. Acidic food should not be cooked in stainless steel utensils as the acids may lead to the dissociation nickel from the the utensils and it may increase the nickel content of the food.
   
   (b) The initial water flow from the tap in the morning should not be drunk or used for cooking as nickel may be released from the tap during night.

http://flipper.diff.org/app./items/info/5325

So once you start to look at the numbers and the list of foods that contain high amounts of nickel, it becomes clear how important diet is to reducing dermatitis and nickel allergy symptoms.  

The biggest challenge is to remember the various foods that are high in nickel content, so you can make dietary decisions easily throughout your daily routines.  (THAT is what has been my biggest challenge!)

Resources About Nickel Allergy

 One of the most challenging parts of having an allergy to nickel and iron oxide is understanding the many ways we are exposed to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like to think I understand quite a bit about lifestyle, diet, & healthy living.  But when I was diagnosed with having an allergy to nickel & iron oxide, I couldn't get a grasp as to how much it existed in my every day life.

It was just so exasperating!

 

 
 

 

 

So here are some basic resources that are on the internet to help with the process of living a life that is nickel-free:

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology - Nickel Allergy

American Academy of Dermatology - Contact Dermatitis Can Be Irritating

Bella Online - Nickel Allergies & Fashion Jewelry

 Corrosion Doctors - Nickel Allergy

Disabled World Towards Tomorrow - Nickel Allergy Information

Dr. Oz Show - The Hidden Causes of Nickel Allergy

Ehow List of nickel free food

I Hate Nickel - Blog Index

Mayo Clinic - Nickel Allergy

Melisa Foundation - Metals Research

National Skin Centre - Nickel Allergy

Nickel Allergy Free - Blog

Nickelfree Life - Nickel Allergy FAQs

Philly.com - How Common Are Nickel Allergies?

Prevention.com - The Rash In Your Jewelry Box

Red Envelope - Is There a Difference Between Hypoallergenic & Nickel Free?

Science Daily - Prolonged Cell Phone Use Can Trigger Allergic Reaction

The Wall Street Journal - Till Dermatitis Do Us Part

Wellness.com - Nickel Allergy





I want to give credit to my friend Donna Jo Wallace at Naturally Nickel Free
Many of the links shown here were listed on her website.

Check back here for more posts with info on living with Nickel and Iron Oxide Allergies.  Soon I will post a list of bloggers who are writing sharing their experiences with us.

Have a great day!