Supplements Can Help OR Hurt Nickel Allergies

Does Nickel Show Up In 

Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements?

Some people take vitamins, while others don't.  I am a hefty vitamin/supplement consumer!

Each night my palm is heaped with various vitamins. And in the morning I take a smaller portion of about 8 supplements.  All of it really seems to help me manage hay fever, allergic responses, along with colds and flu.

It concerned me that nickel might be contained in my daily supplements.  After all,  I could be working really hard to avoid skin contact with nickel and iron oxide, but then defeat all this effort by consuming something that causes other reactions. 

The first direction I went to seek answers was with my friendly health food store owner.  She helped out by doing her own research.  It appears that multi-vitamins could be the greatest risk of containing nickel and iron oxide.  Singular vitamins like Vitamin E and Calcium have very little risk that they may contain nickel and iron oxide. 

 I decided to help my Nickel and Iron Oxide Allergies by beginning a detox to get rid of at least some of the toxins that were causing my allergic responses.  I selected the Ultimate Cleanse.  Some people also take Iron supplements while using this cleanse.  But I decided to leave that out, since I am still researching whether Iron supplements are a problem with my Iron Oxide allergy. 

I spent quite awhile researching online to find the answer. Most of the answers online seemed to be research results that were written for doctors.   And I try to sift through it to understand at least some of what is discussed.  And I have to say that my searching will continue.  Sometimes it feels like I find conflicting information from various research sources.

 

Today's post contains a selection of quotes from sources 

I discovered while attempting to find answers 

Vitamin C and Iron

The final, and probably least appreciated, factor in the effects of dietary nickel is absorption of ingested nickel. It has been demonstrated that vitamin C decreases absorption of dietary nickel, as does iron. Co-ingestion, or lack thereof, of these two nutrients can have a major effect on nickel absorption, even without alteration of the amount of nickel ingestion. Factors such as these highlight how little is understood about the ingestion and metabolism of dietary nickel and the factors that can affect it.

          Dietary Nickel as a Cause of Systemic Contact Dermatitis

Studies have found that taking a vitamin C supplement with each meal as well as eating an iron-rich diet can help prevent absorption of nickel in the body.  

            http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/nickel#2

Other substances/physical states that interfere with nickel absorption from diet

1. Vitamin C, orange juice, tea, coffee, milk inhibit nickel absorption in human

2. Iron deficiency Anemia, Pregnancy and Lactation can enhance nickel absorption in human body

3. Adequate iron intake and status can reduce nickel absorption from diet in human.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667300/

Zinc

Based on animal studies, some effects of nickel may be eliminated or reduced by supplementing with divalent essential metals. Weissmann and Menné reported cases of nickel dermatitis as having improved following oral administration of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄).  One clinical study showed that the administration of ZnSO₄ could improve the clinical manifestations of nickel contact dermatitis and could eliminate or reduce the majority of patch-test reactions; intolerance to ZnSO₄ was not observed. The study showed that ZnSO₄ therapy is efficacious and safe.

         http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/753985_5          

Bromelain

 Bromelain is used for reducing swelling (inflammation), especially of the nose and sinuses, after surgery or injury. It is also used for hay fever, treating a bowel condition that includes swelling and ulcers (ulcerative colitis), removing dead and damaged tissue after a burn (debridement), preventing the collection of water in the lung (pulmonary edema), relaxing muscles, stimulating muscle contractions, slowing clotting, improving the absorption of antibiotics, preventing cancer, shortening labor, and helping the body get rid of fat.

           https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/895.html

 Probiotics

Treating pregnant mothers, and then their infants, with select strains of probiotics -- bacteria present naturally in the body and sometimes added to food or dietary supplements to boost immune function -- may help prevent a skin condition known as eczema in children with a family history of allergies, particularly during the first 3 months of life, Dutch researchers report.

          http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/09/us-probiotics-skin-idUSTRE5985G520091009
 

 In 2003 a study of over 100 children from families with a history of eczema also found a benefit from probiotic supplementation, and just last year a study noted that daily supplements of probiotic foods may reduce the risk of eczema in children by 58 percent.

           http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/11/probiotics

Fish Oil

According to Mother Earth News,⁹ a German study published in the journal Allergy found people who have diets rich in of omega-3 fatty acids suffer from fewer allergy symptoms. A second study¹⁰ in Sweden found that children who regularly ate fish prior to age one had much lower allergies by age four. My favorite sources of omega-3 fatty acids are grass fed meat and eggs, and krill oil.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/04/18/allergy-season.aspx

 Quercetin

Quercetin is an antioxidant that belongs to a class of water-soluble plant substances called flavonoids. Although research is sketchy, many believe quercetin-rich foods (such as apples, berries, red grapes, red onions, capers and black tea) prevent histamine release—so they are "natural antihistamines." Quercetin is also available in supplement form—a typical dose for hay fever is between 200 and 400 mg per day. 

            http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/04/18/allergy-season.aspx 

I thought this was interesting side information:

Patients that are allergic to nickel may also be allergic to palladium, cobalt, and aluminum. 

          http://www.clarksnutrition.com/

So I feel like I've got a great start to understanding which supplements and vitamins are going to help my Nickel and Iron Oxide Allergies.  Most Nickel Allergy sufferers will be reasonably safe in taking the general supplements listed. 

In the case of my Iron Oxide Allergy, I still am not convinced that Iron supplements are a safe way for me to go.  For now, I will avoid that particular supplement. 


Have you found some other supplements that help with Nickel Allergy?  I would love to hear about your findings!

Until Next Time........

What is Contact Dermatitis?

Dermatitis is an inflamed skin disorder that usually appears in form of rashes. Like other skin disorders, dermatitis can cause immense discomfort to the affected person.  Contact Dermatitis is also called Eczema.

The most noticeable symptom of dermatitis is a rash. However, at the initial stage, a rash will not  appear. Regardless, the affected person will experience allergic reaction; and with repeated exposure, the rash will appear.


The Dermatitis rash can be triggered by an irritant, allergic reaction, or damage to the skin. The immune system, then begins attacking the skin layers causing the rash.

As many as one half of all cases of allergic contact dermatitis appear to be associated with exposure to approximately 25 agents.  One of those agents is Nickel, which is found in earrings and other metal jewelry, and even in cell phones and other handheld communication devices. Nickel is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis in patch test clinics around the world.

 

 

 

There Are Two Kinds of Contact Dermatitis

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

This form of Dermatitis is a non-immune reaction, which happens when the skin is exposed to an irritant chemical or physical agent (alkalis in soaps or solvents). It can develop after touching a strong irritant one time OR after repeated contact with the irritating substance.  Skin that has been previously injured is more susceptible to irritant contact dermatitis.  Think of this type of Dermatitis as "dish pan hands".  Approximately 80% of cases fit into this category.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This form of Dermatitis is a a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. It can develop after a person touches an allergy-triggering substance, such as nickel, cosmetics, poison ivy, bacitracin, neomycin, and oleoresin. Approximately 20% of cases fit into this category.

Contributory or predisposing factors

• Patients with a history of atopic dermatitis are at increased risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, it is not uncommon for such patients to develop contact allergy to common allergens, especially topical medications and nickel
• Exposure to dry air (low humidity) makes skin more vulnerable to cutaneous irritants
• Various occupations may lead to a increased risk of exposure and development of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis

http://dermatitiscontacto.blogspot.com/2015/08/got-rash-you-might-be-allergic-to-nickel.html

What is the best way to treat Contact Dermatitis?

The first thing to realize is this - 

there is no cure for Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis is best treated as other autoimmune conditions.  Controlling the irritating symptoms presents the most demanding and immediate need.  Topical creams, steroids, and antibiotics are often prescribed for the rash and discomfort.


But prescription treatments do not treat the cause of Contact Dermatitis.  To treat the cause, the person must reduce or totally eliminate exposure to the irritant that causes this allergic response.  Ignoring this side of the treatment will only cause a more extreme allergic response.  If you are not sure what the allergen/irritant is, then an allergy patch test will probably be needed (and performed by an allergy specialist). After the allergen/irritant is discovered, then lifestyle changes can be made, in order to reduce or eliminate exposure.

 

 

 

Alternative Therapies Can Help 

With Managing Contact Dermatitis

Nutrition

Check with your doctor before giving a supplement to a child.

• Avoid exposure to environmental or food allergens. Common foods that cause allergic reactions are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat (and sometimes all gluten-containing grains), fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes.
• Eat fewer saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy), refined foods, and sugar. These foods contribute to inflammation in the body.
• Eat more fresh vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds).
• Fish oil -- In one study, people taking fish oil equal to 1.8 g of EPA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) had significant reduction in symptoms of eczema after 12 weeks. Researchers think that may be because fish oil helps reduce leukotriene B4, an inflammatory substance that plays a role in eczema. If you take anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications), talk to your doctor before taking fish oil. If you're taking high-dose fish oil, make sure you use a brand that removes most of the vitamin A. Too much vitamin A over time can be toxic. The dose used in this study is very high; speak with your doctor to find the right dosage for you.
• Probiotics (bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, 3 to 5 billion live organisms per day) may boost the immune system and control allergies, especially in children. In fact, studies show that taking probiotics during pregnancy, or early infancy, can protect against the development of dermatitis. However, the scientific studies are mixed; more research is needed to know for sure if probiotics will help reduce eczema symptoms. People with severely weakened immune systems should speak with their doctors before taking probiotics.
• Evening primrose oil -- In some studies, evening primrose oil helps reduce the itching associated with eczema. However, other studies have found no benefit. People who take anticoagulants (blood thinners) should talk to their doctor before taking evening primrose oil.
• Borage oil, like evening primrose oil, contains the essential fatty acid GLA (500 to 900 mg per day, in several doses -- amount of GLA varies by supplement), which acts as an anti-inflammatory. Evidence is mixed, with some studies showing that GLA helps reduce eczema symptoms and others showing no effect. People who take anticoagulants (blood thinners) should talk to their doctor before taking evening primrose oil.
• Vitamin C (1,000 mg, 2 to 4 times per day) can act as an antihistamine. In one study, it helped reduce symptoms of eczema, but more studies are needed. Rose hips or palmitate are citrus free and hypoallergenic.
• Bromelain (100 to 250 mg, 2 to 4 times per day), an enzyme derived from pineapple, helps reduce inflammation. Bromelain can have a blood-thinning effect. Talk to your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medications.
• Flavonoids, antioxidants found in dark berries and some plants, have anti-inflammatory properties, strengthen connective tissue, and may help reduce allergic reactions. The following flavonoids may be taken in dried extract form: Catechin (25 to 150 mg, 2 to 3 times per day), quercetin (50 to 250 mg, 2 to 3 times per day), hesperidin (50 to 250 mg, 2 to 3 times per day), and rutin (50 to 250 mg, 2 to 3 times per day).

Herbs

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider. Always tell your doctor about any herbs you may be taking. When applying herbs to the skin it is important to make sure that you have no open wounds as serious infection can result.

• Topical creams and salves containing one or more of the following herbs may help relieve itching and burning, and promote healing. The best evidence is for chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Chickweed (Stellaria media), marigold (Calendula officinalis), and licorice (Glycyrrhia glabra) may be helpful, although there is little scientific evidence to support the benefits. One study did find a licorice cream was more effective than placebo.
• Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) cream can relieve itching. Liquid witch hazel can help with "weeping" or oozing dermatitis.
• St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), used as a topical cream, has shown promise in one double blind study. People with eczema who used St. John's wort on one arm and a placebo cream on the other saw more improvement with the arm treated with St. John's wort.
• Other herbs that have traditionally been applied to the skin to treat dermatitis include Sarsaparilla (Smilax sp.) and marshmallow (Althea officinalis).

When I realized I was dealing with Allergic Contact Dermatitis, I spent a lot of time trying to learn about it.  I really wanted a cure, but couldn't find anything about someone beating this auto-immune ailment. And it felt like a lot of everyday items contained my trigger-points, that are Nickel and Iron Oxide.  I truly had to start making some changes in my lifestyle and daily routines in order to reduce exposure to these ingredients.  But over time, all the pieces fell into place, and I have found a new "normal". 

I feel most fortunate that my experiences with Contact Dermatitis is not more extreme.  Many people I have met who have the same ailment have much more extreme allergic response than I have.
I guess it's all relative to your circumstances.  :)

Source: Dermatitis | University of Maryland Medical Center

Nickel Allergy Blogs and Groups

When I found out I had Nickel and Iron Oxide allergies, I felt so alone.  My dermatologist, who made the diagnosis had said:

"What I can tell you is that you have this allergy.  Here is a list of general information regarding Nickel & Iron Oxide allergies. The rest is something you are going to have to figure out."

That was less than consoling. For the next week, I wandered around in a hopeless funk.  It's long been my pattern to search out natural ways to treat ailments.  I have been the "go to" person at my school whenever someone wondered which supplements to take. But NOW, I didn't know where to start.


For the next month, I spent a lot of time on the internet, just searching out basic info on avoiding nickel & iron oxide.  Eventually, I found some blogs written by fellow nickel allergy sufferers.  And THAT is where I found the greatest help.  I haven't really found anyone else who addresses the Iron Oxide allergy.  And I continue to try to find out if nickel and iron oxide are one in the same.  These two are connected somehow in chemistry, that is all I know.  I never took Chemistry, so that is as much as I know.

So Much Can Be Learned From Others Who Carry The Same Burdens.
The same can be said in the world of nickel allergy sufferers.

 

 

There are a number of great blogs about Nickel Allergies.  

Here is a list of some I have found.  

 

 Naturally Nickel Free by Donna Jo Wallace

http://naturallynickelfree.blogspot.com/

Donna Jo writes about her experiences and her handmade jewelry business.  I truly love 

Donna Jo's artistry. Her blog offers some great discussions about nickel-free jewelry.

 

 

Nickel Food Allergy by Christy Cushing
http://nickelfoodallergy.com/blog/

Christy addresses the dietary aspect of having a nickel allergy. She writes about great recipes, and her experiences while eating in restaurants. There is a lot more included here.

 

 

Nickely Challenged by Barbara Njuguna

http://www.nickelychallenged.com/

This blog provides tips on meal modification, etiquette, stories, product reviews, and more. 

 

 

 

 

Ask The Allergista
http://www.theallergista.com/

Here you will find product reviews, fashion tips, other people's stories, and access to petitions for legislation and for nickel free products.

 

There are some great communities for nickel allergy sufferers, and this is where we can lighten each other's burdens  :) 

Eczema Caused By Nickel Allergy

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011417188879647/
This is a Facebook group where members share experiences, product reviews, and resources.  It is a closed group and you can request to join.

Nickel Allergy

https://www.facebook.com/groups/nickelallergy/
Here is a new public Facebook group started by Barbara Njuguna. Members are allowed to share tips and product reviews. We would love to see this community grow, so join us!

 

 

Patient Info: Nickel Allergy Forum

http://patient.info/forums/discuss/nickel-allergy-361733

NeuroTalk: Darn Nickel Allergy With Dermatitis 

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php

 

 

I would love to hear from you about the resources you have found.  Have you got some favorite blogs or communities for nickel allergy info?
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Things for Nickel and Iron Oxide Allergy

Whew! What a week!  I just finished my first FULL WEEK of teaching Kindergarten (this year). Trying to get 23 four and five year olds how to be "civil" students is quite a huge task.  I never get used to the start of the school year in Kindergarten.  It truly makes me think of herding cats!





"How are we gonna get all these situations?"

Oh, Sorry!! I am off topic.
Yes, that is how my mind has been running all week.

I Decided To Think Of My Favorite Things 

For Nickel and Iron Oxide Allergies 

Naturally Nickel Free Jewelry

Donna Jo Wallace is the artist who creates earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and charms that are nickel-free.  Donna even offers custom design jewelry pieces.  She made custom earring charms for me, which I LOVE!

 

 

100 Percent Pure

I love the Fruit Pigmented Cosmetics offered by 100 Percent Pure! God was good to me in advance of my diagnosis of nickel allergy.  This site appeared in my Facebook news feed a couple of weeks before my allergy testing. I am so grateful that I now have some cosmetics I can wear.
NOTE: If you have exclusively nickel allergy, cosmetics may not be an allergy trigger for you.  But if you have IRON OXIDE allergies, like I do, you need to find alternatives to the big name cosmetics, as well as to the "natural" brands.

 I use Fig eyeshadow, which also can serve as my liner.  And Champagne is my lighter color.

I enjoy the Pomegranate lip glaze.  It is a bit light, but when I use a lip liner, it is just right. The circle sample makes it look more pink than it actually is. These lip glazes so NOT have the lasting power of regular lip sticks or glazes.  Sorry!  

 

 

 

 

Herbatint Hair Color

When I realized my Nickel/Iron Oxide Allergy was impacted by the hair color that I use each month, I was horrified.  I could not imagine going without coloring my hair! Even most of the "natural" hair coloring products include Iron Oxide.  So when my friend Terrie, the health food store owner, told me about Herbatint, I was very interested, but leery. I wasn't sure this product could do the job. 

I was extremely surprised at how wonderful Herbatint did the job! I wouldn't go back to the traditional hair color now, even IF I could! Even my beautician commented on the improvement of the condition of my hair, now that I am using Herbatint.  I get many more compliments on the shiny look it gives my hair.  

 

The Grain Brain by Dr. Perlmutter

Renowned neurologist David Perlmutter, MD, blows the lid off a topic that’s been buried in medical literature for far too long: carbs are destroying your brain. And not just unhealthy carbs, but even healthy ones like whole grains can cause dementia, ADHD, anxiety, chronic headaches, depression, and much more. Dr. Perlmutter explains what happens when the brain encounters common ingredients in your daily bread and fruit bowls, why your brain thrives on fat and cholesterol, and how you can spur the growth of new brain cells at any age. He offers an in-depth look at how we can take control of our “smart genes” through specific dietary choices and lifestyle habits, demonstrating how to remedy our most feared maladies without drugs.

My Kineseologist/Chiro recommended that I read this book after I told him about my diagnosis of Nickel and Iron Oxide allergy.  The basic reason is because this allergy is likely a result of inflammation of the brain due to gluten and too much sugar.  Perlmutter also writes about the importance of getting a LOT more healthy fats into our diet to promote health.

After eating Gluten-Free for 5 months, many of my most extreme areas of inflammation have cleared up tremendously!  I hope to continue a Gluten-Free diet from now on.


I have met quite a few other Nickel allergy sufferers who also discovered that Gluten-free living helps with their symptoms. So I am not alone.  In fact, I decided to focus on Gluten-free eating versus the Nickel Avoidance Diet.
Read more about my story toward Gluten-Free living here.

Note: I am STILL going to try to avoid touching items with high Nickel and Iron Oxide content.

Pamela's Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I know, I know!  These are NOT sugar-free.  But when I need a cookie and chocolate fix, these do just fine!

Coco Roons (Costco) 

Oh........My...........Gosh!!!! These are just so good!

Ugly Gloves

When I just can't avoid touching nickel, I still enjoy my gloves.  These gloves allow me to handle paper, turn pages, pick up pens, write, and so on.  I just can't answer my cell phone, or work on the computer keyboard with them.  But they work just fine when I need them.

OK, I guess I've cheered myself up by thinking of my favorite things.  Maybe I need to burst into song..............

Sea Salt for Eczema and Nickel/Iron Oxide Reactions

One of the worst symptoms of Nickel and Iron Oxide allergies is the eczema and itchy rash that occurs after exposure.  Sometimes the reaction helps to draw attention to the fact that something is being an irritant to your skin.  Perhaps you didn't even know that a particular piece of clothing, or jewelry had nickel in it until you got the eczema reaction.

 

About 20 years ago,  Dr. Douglas Leavengood, an allergist based in Biloxi, Mississippi, noticed that many of his eczema patients improved  after spending lots of time in the ocean in the summer. So Leavengood’s daughter tried it out with her own kids who suffered from eczema. She gave them daily sea salt baths and noticed their skin became less red and irritated.

Leavengood now recommends daily sea salt baths (about a handful in the tub) for all of his young patients, and commonly sees an improvement in redness, itchiness and dryness in as little as a week to 10 days. “It’s the most impressed I’ve ever been with a home therapy for anything,” he tells Allergic Living.

Scientific study would be necessary to conclusively prove that the treatment really works, as well as how it works. (Leavengood wonders if the salt may somehow help the skin to stay moist, or if perhaps it acts as an antibacterial agent.) What’s more, Leavengood’s patients often have severe cases, so they still require prescription creams and antihistamines.
Still, he says, “for a lot of mild cases, try this and a good moisturizing cream, and you’re good to go.”

http://allergicliving.com/2012/02/08/using-sea-salt-for-eczema-control/

How Can Sea Salt Help to Reduce 

Eczema Reactions?

Eczema skin is diagnosed as being dry, not because it lacks grease or oil, but because it fails to retain water. Therefore, to correct dryness, water is added to the skin, followed by an emollient which can help to retain the moisture. This can be done by soaking the affected area in a basin of water with Dead Sea Bath Salts or soaking the entire body in a Dead Sea Salt bath for 20 minutes using warm water. Pat the skin with a soft towel to remove excess water, and immediately apply essential oil or cream to seal in moisture.


 Toxins in the environment, as well as airborne allergens can greatly effect eczema. Dead Sea salt baths can help in cleansing and detoxifying the skin by removing the irritants and impurities that are otherwise trapped, while restoring some of the skin's depleted minerals.


It's a common misconception that Dead Sea Bath Salts dry out the skin. Although this would be true of many of the other types of salt on the market, Therapeutic grade Dead Sea Bath Salt containing only 4% sodium provide minerals which the skin and body need. These minerals help to strengthen skin and balance out it’s PH levels.

 

 

Use Cream or Essential Oils to Seal in Moisture 

Following the Sea Salt Bath

Essential oils such as lavender, geranium, melaleuca, frankincense, or chamomile will provide soothing effects to reduce itchy, flaking, and possibility of infection.


Topical corticosteroids creams quickly help relieve itching and reduce inflammation. Barrier repair moisturizers help lock water into skin, repair damaged skin, and reduce dryness, redness, and itching. Topical immunomodulators can reduce inflammation without steroids. Many of these creams are OTC treatments.  Consult your doctor regarding which is best for you.

 

 

How Long Does it Take For 

The Sea Salt Bath to Work?

The severe itching associated with eczema usually subsides in 1-2 weeks when treated with Dead Sea Bath Salts, even if the skin has not yet shown much response. Visual clearing can take up to 6 weeks. Many eczema sufferers can slightly reduce the number of Dead Sea Salt Bath’s taken per week, once they have achieved their desired results.

http://thehealingbath.ca/about-the-dead-sea/dead-sea-salt-heal-the-body/

Nickel Exposure Side Effects and Warnings

Many, many years ago, I wore clip on earrings on a daily basis.  The earrings were basic costume jewelry, cute and inexpensive.  I had an ongoing irritation on my earlobes.  Sometimes it was red and itchy, while other times it was crusty and oozing.  I continued wearing the earrings.


A couple of years later, I got my ears pierced and figured my problems were over.  DUH!  While I had some improvement, I found that I had trouble whenever I wore gold plated earrings.  I had to wear 24k gold.  Life went on, and I usually wore 24k gold earrings.  Every once in awhile, I'd wear costume jewelry and suffer for a few days after.


It never crossed my mind that I was intensifying an allergy with each exposure.  About 10 years later, I started coloring my hair, and have never stopped since then... it's been decades! I had little bouts of blisters on my scalp after coloring my hair.  At one point, I told my Kineseologist/Chiropractor about the blisters.  He said I needed to make some changes immediately.  The doctor gave me a phone number for a beautician who takes special care in this treatment.  The beautician generously talked with me about adding Poly-Sorbate 80 to my hair coloring as a protection of the scalp from the chemicals. So I've done that for at least 10 years.

But when my eye problems exploded, with a diagnosis of chronic conjunctivitis and ocular rosacea, all these past little annoyances became a focus as an irritant to my eyes.  And following a nasty allergy panel on my back, lasting 5 days, the diagnosis was severe allergies to nickel and iron oxide.
 Turns out all the jewelry exposure and the hair coloring exposed me to toxic amounts of nickel and iron oxide.  Now drastic changes were facing me.

Prolonged exposure to heavy metal allergens like nickel and iron oxide will intensify the allergic reaction.  The sooner we eliminate exposure to the metals, the better we can manage the allergies in the future.  ANY nickel allergy can become a more severe condition if continues to be irritated. 

 

Nickel Allergy Side Effects and Warnings (from Clark's Nutrition)

• Nickel exposures may result from cigarette smoke, airborne particles from combustion of fossil fuels, and contact with stainless steel kitchen utensils, stainless steel and nickel-plated articles, and inexpensive jewelry. People working in or living near industries and facilities that manufacture and use nickel may have higher than average exposure. Nickel impurities may be introduced during the manufacturing of food, drugs, and dietary supplements. Nickel alloys are often used in dental and medical procedures. Certain foods contain high nickel levels.
• The level of nickel toxicity depends on its chemical form. Insoluble nickel compounds (metallic nickel, nickel sulfides, and nickel oxides) are associated with a higher risk of cancer than water-soluble nickel salts (chloride, nitrate, sulfate). Nickel carbonyl is the most toxic form of nickel. Inhalation of nickel carbonyl over time may cause cancer of the lung and nose. Taking it by mouth may lead to serious complications, including death.
• Long-term exposure to nickel compounds is associated with lung and nasal cancer in humans, and it induces tumors in experimental animals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified nickel compounds as carcinogenic to humans.
• Skin contact may lead to nickel-induced contact dermatitis. In rare cases, skin reactions may occur at a site on the body other than the point of nickel contact, and asthma may occur. Exposure to nickel-containing dust may cause heart and lung diseases. Nickel exposure may cause variable degrees of kidney and cardiovascular system poisoning. Ingestion of high levels of nickel sulfate has been associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, coma, and kidney poisoning.
• Use cautiously in patients with diabetes, blood sugar disorders, cancer, heart rate abnormalities, liver disorders, kidney disorders, or immune or autoimmune disorders; in patients taking agents for any of these conditions; and in patients taking blood vessel-widening or -constricting agents, or agents metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
• Use cautiously during radiotherapy, or in combination with cis-platinum, trans-platinum, and mitomycin C, as nickel may enhance their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.
• Avoid excess nickel exposure or consumption.
• Children should avoid excess nickel exposure, as early-life exposure to nickel may induce malformations and late-onset diseases. Body piercing should be done using nickel-free studs, especially in children, to prevent nickel hypersensitization.
• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid excessive exposure to nickel, because it can cross the placenta and has been demonstrated to be harmful to the fetus, and it may cause spontaneous abortion.
• Long-term skin contact with nickel should be avoided, due to the risk of developing contact dermatitis. Gloves should be worn by workers that handle nickel objects.
• Patients that are highly sensitive to nickel are advised to strictly avoid nickel exposure, including nickel-containing foods and dental material. Patients with a known allergy to other metals, especially palladium, cobalt, and aluminum, should also limit nickel exposures.
• Breathing nickel fumes or dusts should be avoided due to the risk of cancers of the lung, nose, larynx, and prostate, and cardiopulmonary diseases.
• Avoid in combination with disulfiram therapy in patients with nickel dermatitis, due to the risk of liver toxicity.

http://www.clarksnutrition.com/

Whew! When I found this list, it was a bit frightening! There is more at risk than simple rashes and skin irritation.  The words kidney poisoning, cancer and carcinogenic are very serious health risks connected with nickel exposure.  Those of us with nickel allergies honestly must pay careful attention to the early and subtle warning signs.  

Limit exposure to the heavy metals that you are allergic to, so you can reduce the chances of experiencing hypersensitization. 

 

 

Detox #6 Plan for Nickel Heavy Metals

When I think of detox treatments, I usually think of INPUT: eating and drinking foods that help clean me out.  But today I'm writing about a detox method that involves OUTPUT: doing something that makes my body push out toxins in the process.

 

So what kind of detox method involves output? Sweating!

Yuck! Who wants to sweat?!?!?  Most of us do whatever we can to avoid perspiring and sweating.  It's not pretty.  But it IS a way to cleanse your body of toxins. Sweating actually has many important health- and beauty-related benefits. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and serves important roles just like any other bodily organ. Something as simple as sweating could provide equal or even greater detoxification benefits than dietary detox plans.

All of these benefits promote general health, and recent research^1,2,3,4,5 has even shown that regular sauna use correlates to a reduced risk of death from any cause, including lethal cardiovascular events.

Read more of this article here

Quite a number of years ago, we visited Sweden, and got to stay in someone's home.  They had their own sauna built into their laundry room.  It was a big surprise to me to see such a room.  Our hosts said most homes had saunas included in their houses. That is the first time I seriously began to think of sauna treatments as a way to purify the body.

 The Different Types of Saunas

Today, there are three basic types of saunas:

1. The wet Finnish sauna, where steam is created by throwing water on hot rocks (the heat can be generated by either wood burning or electricity)
2. The dry Finnish sauna that uses electrical heating, and therefore does not employ water (these stoves are not made to have water poured on them. Doing so can result in short-circuiting)
3. Infrared saunas

The difference between an infrared sauna and the traditional Finnish-style saunas is that the latter heats you up from the outside in, like an oven. The infrared sauna heats you from the inside out.  The traditional wet sauna typically uses a small stove with radiant heat elements, i.e. resistive elements that heat up when current flows through them. These elements heat up the rocks piled on top. The temperature is regulated by a thermostat. Initially, the sauna will feel warm and dry, but once you toss some water on the rocks, hot steam is generated.

Click here to see a larger version  of the infographic

In 2012, researchers with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute provided a meta-analysis on 24 studies and found that arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium weren’t only present in sweat but often present in greater concentrations than within urine or blood (where such toxins are usually measured).  They determined, quite simply, that “sweating deserves consideration for toxic element detoxification.”

             http://naturalsociety.com/sweating-detoxing-body-heavy-metals-more/



Personally, I can't figure out how to afford a sauna.  And I don't think I have room for one.  That is why I've opted for infrared therapy with mats.  When I use the mat, I actually DO sweat!
Read my previous post about infrared therapy

 

So now what?? I guess it is important to realize we can't protect ourselves from toxins; they are all around us.  What we can do is break a sweat by sitting in a sauna, using infrared therapy, or doing some exercise. That way we can work on getting more of the toxins and heavy metals like nickel and iron oxide out of our bodies.

Do you have an alternative detox plan that I haven't covered? I would really like to hear about it.  Please comment below.