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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere is no cure for nickel allergy. Once you develop a sensitivity to nickel, you will develop a rash (contact dermatitis) whenever you come into contact with the metal. Once an allergic reaction to nickel exposure has begun, it will most likely continue for two to four weeks.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications to reduce irritation and improve the condition of a rash from a nickel allergy reaction:
- Corticosteroid cream, such as clobetasol propionate (Temovate, Cormax, others) and betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene)
- Oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, if the reaction is severe or a rash covers a large area
- Oral antihistamine, such as fexofenadine (Allegra) and cetirizine (Zyrtec), for relief of itching
- Davis MD, et al. Changing trends and allergens in the patch test standard series: A Mayo Clinic 5-year retrospective review, January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2005. Archives of Dermatology. 2008;144(1):67-72.
- Tips to remember: Allergic skin conditions. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/allergicskinconditions.stm. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 22, 2008.
- Weston WL, et al. Patient Information: Dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 22, 2008.
- Tattoos and body piercing. American Academy of Dermatology. www.aad.org/members/media/_doc/FactSheets_TattoosBody%20Piercing%20Fact%20Sheet.doc. Accessed July 30, 2008.
- Meltzer DI. Complications of body piercing. American Family Physician 2005;72(10):2029-2034.
- Position statement on body piercing (approved by the board of directors October 24, 1998). American Academy of Dermatology. www.aad.org/Forms/Policies/Uploads/PS/PS-Body%20Piercing%206-15-07.pdf. Accessed July 30, 2008.
- Do's and don'ts when considering tattoos or piercings. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. http://www.asds.net/DosAndDontsConsideringTattoosPiercings.aspx. Accessed July 29, 2008.
- Torpy JM, et al. JAMA patient page. Body piercing. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004;291(8):1024.
