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Home > Test Kits > Nickel Solution
Detecting Nickel on a Watch
Applying Nickel Guard to a Belt
Nickel Solution
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- Test jewelry and other metals for nickel
- Protects you from nickel exposure
- Does not contain Toluene, Formaldehyde or Dibutyl Phthalate which can
cause secondary contact dermatitis
- Easy and safe to use
Are you unable to wear your favorite earrings? Are you irritated by the red,
itchy rash caused by your jewelry? If so, you may be allergic to nickel. Nickel
Solution is a unique two part system that gives you the freedom to wear the
jewelry you love. Nickel Alert first detects nickel in metal items and then
Nickel Guard protects you from nickel contact.
Detect with Nickel Alert
Place 2 drops of Nickel Alert on a cotton swab. Rub the metal item firmly for
15-30 seconds with the swab. A pink-red color on the swab indicates nickel has
been detected. For best results, clean the item prior to testing. Do not reuse
swab. Nickel Alert is sensitive enough to detect nickel in trace amounts.
Protect with Nickel Guard
When nickel is detected, brush a thin coat of Nickel Guard on your jewelry
where metal makes skin contact. Let dry. Apply a second coat for extra protection.
Nickel Guard wears off with use. Maintain protective properties by reapplying
as necessary.
Common objects that can contain nickel
- Earrings, necklaces and rings
- Fine, heirloom and costume jewelry
- "Nickel-free" jewelry
- Buttons, belt buckles, zippers and jean studs
- Eyeglasses and watches
- Silverware
Note: Chemically sensitive individuals may react to this product.
Some chemically sensitive individuals may be able to use it while wearing our
carbon mask. Product is
usually tolerable when dry.
About Nickel Allergy
Nickel allergy is a form of dermatitis called allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
- to nickel. Dermatitis, simply put, is inflammation of your skin or a rash.
The rash can have the following characteristics: red, itchy, swelling, welts
or hives, and cracks or fissures.
Nickel salts from the jewelry actually penetrate the skin and cause sensitization
and ultimately an allergic reaction. Once an individual is sensitized to nickel
via repeated exposure, the rash or inflammatory response appears each time nickel
contact reoccurs. There is no cure for nickel allergy and it is a life long
ailment. The only options are avoidance via detection and protection.
Sensitization can take a week, month, or years to occur. That delay often makes
identification of the nickel source difficult - hence the need to test all metal
items you contact.
Nickel Sensitization: Piercing of the skin is an obvious direct
link of nickel sensitization. Injury of the skin via piercing followed by prolonged
direct contact to nickel (the nickel containing piercing stud) is a well known
cause of sensitization. Studies of youth with pierced ears have nickel allergy
at an alarming 31% rate, while only 2% of youth without pierced ears have nickel
allergy.
Nickel & Allergies: Nickel is in a majority of metal items we use
because it is inexpensive and adds durability as well as luster to other metals.
Why do items once "safe" to wear suddenly cause problems? It is because
many items are plated or have overlays. Costume jewelry, for example, often
uses a nickel alloy as the base metal, then uses an overlay or plating process
to cover the nickel containing base metal. Once the coating wears thin, even
microscopically, the nickel allergy problems begin. Test your jewelry regularly,
even the "safe" items.
Gold and silver jewelry are often the culprit because they too often contain
nickel for durability.
Demographics of Nickel Allergy: Traditionally women are more affected because
they wear more jewelry and have been pierced more often. This is changing with
more men getting pierced. Nickel allergy can develop at any age and often lasts
a lifetime. Studies have shown that women ages 16-30 have the highest incidents
of nickel allergy. Workplace exposure also should be reviewed. Hairdressers,
bar staff, and metal workers are more likely to develop nickel allergy. Consider
testing the metal items at work - after all, we spend 1/3 of our time there!
Nickel Free & Hypoallergenic Jewelry: These phrases mean different things
to manufactures. Some define "nickel-free" as free of nickel in the
plating or overlay but utilize nickel alloys in the base metal. When the plating
or overlay wears, even microscopically, an allergic reaction can occur. All
metal items should be tested on a regular basis. Don't let your skin tell you
it contains nickel.
Weather: Nickel allergy often intensifies or flares-up in warmer weather. Heat
and moisture aide the transfer of nickel salts - the true culprit of nickel
allergy.
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