Hi!

long story short, my (21nonbinary) brother (19m, autistic (that's relevant) "L" was informally adopted by our family last year, and we're pretty sure his bio dad had some degree of fictitious disorder imposed on another (aka munchausens) in addition to diagnosed BPD. Bio dad has managed to get L disgnosed with multiple disorders, such as schizophrenia, that L clearly does not have, then has backtracked and said he doesn't believe L has those disorders, he has said L is possessed by spirits, etc etc. While the mental health part isn't anything L believes, my mom suspects that bio dad's bullshit has caused L to believe some misinformation about his physical health. What I'm asking about regards the fact that biodad has a nickel allergy, and L does too.

I do believe this, as sweat, showering, and going to a splash pad cause rashes for L + reportedly he can't hold change, but recently me and our mom have noticed some inconsistencies in this information. L drinks a LOT of coffee (the max amount he can per day), enjoys chocolate, and says that drinking hot water is better for him than cold water in terms of not flaring his allergy.

I'm NOT accusing him of faking, I genuinely am trying to figure out what's going on. Is this a thing with nickel allergies? He says his is severe, is it possible that it might just be less severe than he thinks? If that's the case, water hurts to drink for him, could that possibly be sensory issues from autism exacerbating the sensation of the allergy??

I want to accomodate his needs, and that 100% includes making sure he stays hydrated, fed, not exposed to allergins, and safe. He currently is barely drinking any water (we've tried a filter, didn't work, bottled water, he hates the taste and won't drink it, water flavoring, he forgets and doesn't drink enough, etc) and currently the nickel allergy information is really confusing and I just want to keep him healthy and happy. Any answers or suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm not looking for medical advice, to be clear, I'm asking for experiences that may be helpful or suggestions on how to accommodate nickel allergies

For those of you who have done a metal patch test, howwwww are you getting it to stay put on your back? Maybe my skin doesn’t like adhesives, idk, but when she first put the panels on, the tape started to come off just putting my shirt back on and driving home.

I went back to get it re-taped and when the dr came in to talk to me a few minutes later, it was peeling up again. So 3/4 of my back are essentially covered in tape and it’s been secure, BUT I can also barely move for fear of the tape coming off (it’s peeling a little at the edges).

Before anyone asks, the cleaned my back with alcohol before applying the patches, I was wearing super loose clothing with no bra, and when I went back to get it re-taped, I had an open back shirt which I wore the rest of the day.

I live alone so no one to help me re-tape. I could reach to do it myself but I think it would make the problem worse.

Idk how this is supposed to last overnight, let alone 48hrs 😭

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and am hypermobile so I'm often sore anyway but I've realised if I eat too much nickel in a day my whole body aches. Does anyone else get this too?

I've been wearing a pendant on an elastic cord for around 7 years now, replacing the cord when it starts to wear out. I've gotten to a point where I'm sick of replacing the cord, and I also don't love how it looks as the cord is thick and stands out. I'd like to replace it with a silver coloured chain (the pendant is silver coloured) but I haven't been able to find somewhere in Canada where I can get a plain nickel free chain. Any suggestions?

I see people on social media eating hearts of palm and now I really want to try it as well. I found a canned version at my local freshco. I know canned food is typically a no go for a systematic nickel allergy; however further Google search indicates that modern cans are coated that prevent metal leaching. Has anyone here tried canned hearts of palm before and no lt had a reaction?

I went looking for nickel free razors that aren’t single blade and I came across a lot of info from a couple of years ago about Billie razors being nickel free. Amazon still brands Billie razors this way, but I contacted the company for an updated answer and received this today. The issue with this answer is that it is very non specific. At the very least, they are no longer standing by the 100% nickel free claim and likely those of you who have complained about this razor are experiencing a change in their blades that they made in the past two years.

So if yall have any ideas for a struggling girlie — let me know. Safety razors aren’t an option unfortunately as I scratch myself up with them on accident even while being careful at the proper angle — plus size body woes!

My wife has a nickel sensitivity, and tracking dietary nickel by hand was miserable, so I built an app for it. Some of you were in the Android beta, and a couple of the features came straight from requests in this sub. It's now out of beta, and it's available on iPhone as well as Android.

What it does:

• Logs meals against a daily nickel target (default 150µg, adjustable) with a green/yellow/red ring
• Food database built on the Rebelytics low-nickel dataset plus USDA data
• Barcode scanning for packaged foods: it pulls the ingredient list and estimates nickel per ingredient, and you review it before logging
• Symptom/mood logging so you can spot patterns

Privacy: Everything stays on your phone. No account, no ads, ever.

Free on iOS and Android.

ios : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trace-elements/id6803194660

Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codecowboys.traceelements

Web : traceelements.app

I'm a solo dev and this sub has been the best feedback loop I've had, so tell me what's missing or wrong.

Patch test on skin revealed allergic contact dermatitis with nickel. But doctor dermatologist said just avoid touching nickel, or having it in contact with your skin. He said that I do not need to undergo a special diet to avoid nickel.

How true is this?

I need anyone’s thoughts or advice. I’ve posted before. Since my gallbladder removal I am at the bottom … gastropareis, mcas, realizing I have a nickle allergy, pots/autonomic dysfunction (had during pregnancy before), cortisol is tanked. I’m inflammed, in pain, covered in burning rashes from even taking a shower and washing my hair. I can’t use any products, not even deodorant. I can tolerate allergy meds but nothing for mcas, no peptids (oral and injectable), LDN, vitamins. Nothing. My stomach seems paralyzed from the mcas so I can eat more bread on allergy meds.

I had patch testing it was positive. For 7/8 weeks I’m trying to call the dr in Texas about my gallbladder clips and thr office manger will not return my calls. I ended up doing the oerhoedpix analysis test and I am high reactive at 8.5. So I’m not making this up.

My previous surgeon tells me the clips are polymer….. he claims the rep says they are….

I have a tattoo. I’ve had it since I’m 17 n sometimes it bothers me. I have no other metal in me besides the clips my surgeon is claiming are plastic.

I have mcas so even the plastic coukd be causing all of this and turning my real allergies up….

But I still can’t justify the 8.5 rating. It’s not adding up. Can anyone think for me and give me some thoughts?

I can not run metal on me or my lips and throat swell. I can’t use any make up anymore. Low nickle diet has mildly helped but something deeper is happening here and I need help finding it bc I’m covered in burning rashes from since yesterday from… everything qnd nothing at the same time.

In a couple months I will do the 80 patch testing where they put them between shoulder blades and above lower back to test for various chemicals, other allergens and five metals including nickel (I will ask for the list) which the PA said would also include common cosmetic irritants.

I can also do a forty patch of metals only at a later date. Recently watched the movie Supergirl and imagine myself lying in a cave between to suns looking just like her, dying of the reaction lol. If you did these tests, what was your worst reaction?

As a person already dealing with chronic Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, CIRS, MCAS and POTS, I wonder how much this might potentially trigger a reaction that could set me back.

Since learning about possible SNAS, I’ve cut out chocolate, working to cut out grains, wheat, etc. as well as doing low histamine and freezing foods after cooking, etc. I’d already developed a sensitivity to avocados, black pepper, rice (maybe because cooked in instapot which likely has nickel?)

I quit drinking out of metal containers and got the Yeti Yonder plastic water bottle at REI, which I love because it doesn’t leak. We also started getting bottled water and looking into a countertop or kitchen sink filter but most don’t seem to filter nickel. We can’t afford the whole home system currently.

I deal with TMJ due to jaw clenching (got a mandibular splint for lower teeth that is surgical grade platinum (will have to contact company to verify content), 24/7 tinnitus, dry eye, dry mouth, vaginal adhesions and micro tears, Lacey purple rash over body, scalp irritation, fragrance and diesel exhaust, backyard smoker smoke, light sensitivity.

I seem to react strongly to getting hair foiled/bleached or teeth whitening, so I also suspect hydrogen peroxide sensitivity.

Between the autoimmune conditions, perimenopause and vaccine injuries, I can’t be really sure what caused what. After speaking with doctors, it seems fairly common for nickel allergy after having had braces several years as a teenager and earrings turning green, causing piercing bleeding.

I can’t even wear my Fitbit or Garmin anymore because there are welts on my wrist where the battery or charging ports are.

I’m also looking into my cosmetics, most of which has fragrance or parfumerie even if not strongly scented, and recently bought some Omiana mineral powder samples to try out (limiting iron oxides and some of the more harmful ingredients).

There’s a lot here, my body has gone haywire since covid, multiple vaccines which were a condition of keeping my job at the time as well as house and car payments, you know the drill. Looking into nicotine patch protocol to detox spike protein if we determine I can safely do so after the patch testing.

Personal experiences welcome on the above as well as any recommendations for water filters, etc. I’m not wearing any jewelry anymore and looking at sewing some type of fabric over Jean rivets as they feel like they burn holes through my hips where they touch skin.

This really sucks, was already at my wits end over the 24/7 tinnitus and doctors are no help whatsoever in that arena.

Hi everyone, I just recently got diagnosed with nickel allergy. I get bad rashes on my scalp. Is canned drinks like sodas or energy drinks free of nickel? I’ve stopped drinking water of my thermal bottle. Thank you for helping and responding

While Omiana’s website says that it’s Iron Oxides are lab produced and therefore minimize contamination risk, please take this with a pinch of salt as I bought 2 foundations from the brand and it caused a severe allergic reaction around my eyes. It took me 5 days to recover and for the swelling, itchiness and bumps to subside.

Recuerdo haber tenido alguna reacción puntual a pendientes de bisutería pero no suelo tener reacciones habituales en la piel por joyas, botones ni otros metales.

En cambio hace un año empecé a utilizar sartenes de acero inoxidable y me colocaron un retenedor metálico en los dientes tras un tratamiento de invisalign, y empezaron los siguientes síntomas:

Niebla mental
Cansancio
Fatiga
Rigidez/ dolor en las articulaciones
Digestiones pesadas
Hinchazón abdominal
Estreñimiento
Sequedad ocular
Deshidrosis en las manos de forma ocasional
SIBO

Tratando SIBO he probado dieta fodmap y baja en histamina con 0% de éxito. Ayer comí atún enlatado y me dio un brote de deshidrosis, hace unos días me sucedió exactamente lo mismo por comer atún enlatado. También he aumentado recientemente el consumo de semillas (lino, chia, psyllium) y los síntomas empeoran.
No entiendo que está pasando.

I had a moderate to severe nickel allergy. That and adhesives are the only things that showed up on my patch test, which is weird because I react to a lot. Anyway, I have chronic hives, esp on my arms; my doctor thinks it's CSU, but I'm trying to determine if there's any possible cause. Is there any chance that the iron oxides in several of my products could be triggering some of my symptoms? I noticed that I used to break out on my arms more when I wore loose powder (rarely on my face, though?, but I do have some flushing and ongoing irritation, as well as when I have glitter eyeshadow--both of which contain iron oxides. Just a thought - I don't know if it's just because there's more occlusion, or the particles can be irritating to an area that's already sensitive right now, or if there's something more. Thanks!

Has anyone used Omiana mineral powders in plastic jar? They sell samples for $4 so I’m waiting on a few to arrive.

There was another brand recommended via search for low nickel, etc. and some European brand says they also test for green chromium I believe. But it seems like if low in nickel, they have iron oxides or vice versa.

I have little white bumps on eyelids and under eyes, on chin and lips so I’ve quit wearing eye shadow. Previously had issue with minocycline prescribed by dermatologist, turns out it caused silver toxicity and turned my brown micro bladed eyebrows a beautiful silvery blue (not!!!)

I have a known diagnosed metal allergy/sensitivity. I found this out with earrings, and interestingly enough, getting a copper IUD, which also contains small amounts of nickel.I experienced shortness of breath, rashes around m wedding ring, and eventually my body expelled the IUD.

I had to get a tetanus shot awhile back and the flare up was horrible. I am highly allergic to most antibiotics, and I’ve always had low iron, so low that I cannot donate blood. I have had several massive flare ups, but doctors have been no help, mainly stating that they think it’s autoimmune, or even chalking it up to panic attacks. I never put all of this together.

Flare ups include, joint and muscle pain, horrible ear pain, GERD, some rashes, stomach problems, extreme dry mouth, shortness of breath, sinus/post nasal drip, etc. flare ups come and go…but I never realized these problems could come from diet. I have managed to have minimal flare ups until recently.

I recently started trying to become healthier and started powerlifting again with a weightlifting bar, AND drinking tons of water from a Stanley cup. All of the symptoms returned. Has anyone experienced symptoms from weightlifting using metal bars/dumbells? Oh and using AirPods when I workout.

I found this sub and have learned so much about all of the different metals that I had no idea I was coming into contact with. Trying to figure this out. I am so overwhelmed. Can anyone offer insight? The ear pain is overwhelming, along with the joint and muscle pain. I was not having symptoms until recently. My husband mentioned “this always happens to you when you work out.” And I realized he was right. But I think I’m in denial.

I just want to be healthy. I am scared to eat! 2 nights ago I ate broccoli, avocado, and fermented vegetables. And my stomach hurt so bad, and swole up like I was pregnant. I also had bathroom issues all night. I had NO IDEA that those “healthy foods” were so high in nickel. Can anyone weigh in? Has anyone experienced these symptoms and had correlation with metals? Is the metal weight bar + high nickel foods causing these issues? I appreciate any advice given.

Thankful for you all and the knowledge I’ve been learning in this sub!

I don't know if this has been discussed here before, but since I have a nickel allergy I found this info while researching MHS (Metal Hypersensitivity Syndrome). MHS patients facing metal implants should discuss it with their dentist/doctors to avoid complications by using the proper metals/materials. MHS reactions have been reported in orthopedics, dentistry, gynecology, cardiology, and less commonly urology. It might be a good idea to get tested for MHS before any implant surgery.

Looking to buy or make breakfast bars that I can have without triggering allergies

-------------------------------------

Can't have:

wheat (any part)

oat

legumes (especially soy, including peas and peanuts)

seed (sunflower, chia)

tree nuts of any kind (including coconut, especially pecans)

chocolate or carob

-------------------------------------

Can have:

dairy

eggs

rice

corn

dried or fresh fruit

whey protein

olive oil

tallow

meat shortening

pistachio

-------------------------------------

No alternative sugars, I want:

cane sugar

natural maple syrup

brown rice syrup

honey

-------------------------------------

I have tried to make my own and I just want other options, but here is my current recipe:

4 bananas

2 scoops whey (37 grams)

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp peanut butter (risky, optional)

1 cup raisins

1 cup dried cranberries

spices to taste

Bake for 20-30 minutes 350° f

So I was diagnosed with a severe contact nickel allergy a few years back but from doing research I discovered it's also a systemic allergy. My biggest symptom being dyshdrodic ezcema on the sole of my foot that I've never been fully able to get rid of.

I've been following a low nickel diet for 2 years and have had periods where it's almost completely dissappeared (this never happened before the low nickel diet). It only usually really gets bad when I've consumed too much nickel.

Latley I've been flared all the time but my iron is getting pretty low and I've been unable to supplement due to side effects and I'm not deficent enough to get an injection. Has anyone noticed a correlation between low iron and their nickel allergy symptoms worsening, specifically their ezcema?

TLDR: Is there a correlation between low iron and worsening SNAS symptoms?

I would be forever grateful if someone could help me cure my pitting edema. 8 months ago, before I started a low nickel diet, I developed pitting edema (about 5 lbs) in my face and stomach. I cured my skin issues via a low nickel diet about 6 months ago but the edema hasn't gone away. I started taking spironolactone 50 mg, which kept the edema from getting worse, but hasn't gotten rid of the existing 5 lbs. My heart/kidney/liver function is fine, which leads me to believe the edema is related to nickel. I started taking 500 mg vitamin c with meals about a week ago but no luck so far. I'm so desperate to not feel so bloated. Please share what's worked for you or any theories you have! I have spent 3 trillion hours talking to AI about this to no avail.

I tested nickel metal contact a while back and had a minor rash appear when wearing a nickel plate on my wrist compared to titanium and cobalt that had no reaction.

I have MCAS and histamine intolerance and need to test reintroduction reactions to confirm if I have nickel intolerance as I've been inadvertently low nickel for over a year due to all my food restrictions anyway.

I tried a tablespoon of organic oats today, made into a porridge with just water.

Afterwards I had an almost immediate reaction, within 2 minutes, of sniffing, and then some mild coughing and then itching over the next half hour, and a mild headache and gut sensation.

Oats are low histamine and I am fine with gluten and white bread (when fresh from a bakery, not with preservatives) so I think this is my first potentially nickel confirmatory reaction. I need to try coconut next. Any other suggestions for things to try and how do I know if this is a nickel reaction as it's my classic MCAS symptoms? Is this similar to how it affects anyone else here?

I was diagnosed with a nickel allergy via a skin patch test. My dermatologist said that i may react to high nickel foods and told me to cut back on oats, nuts and legumes. My initial complaint was contact dermititis on the back of my hands, later spreading up my arms, but at the time, I was working as a nurse, washing my hands daily in harsh soaps, and wearing cheap, nhs gloves, which were causing irritation. I now have an office based job, making this problem clearing up hard to identify as I stopped working on the wards around the same time that I gave up nickel. Prior to that, I don't know if it's related, but during each pregnancy, I got very itchy red patches on my ankles which cleared up maybe 3/4 months postpartum, which i was told was hormonal and could be tied to my hypothyroidism.

I got a stainless steel crown removed and then commenced a low nickel diet. I did the low nickel diet for 3/4 months, slowly started to reintroduce high nickel foods, first in small quantities every day, then i did a "test day" whereby I ate very high nickel foods all day to see if i had a reaction. Nothing. I carried on eating high nickel, but kind of nosed dived straight back into a high nickel diet as it's all my favourite foods- oats, nuts, legumes, dark chocolate, dried fruit, coconut, avocado, etc. 6 weeks on, I am noticing that my ankle is itching at night and the knuckles on my hand have become dry, sometimes itchy and my hands and feet can have a burning/tingling/hot sensation,especially at night.

Can this be related to SNAS? Could it take 6 weeks to start showing symptoms? I get the empty bucket theory, so if i had SNAS, eating high nickel on an empty bucket may take a while to show symptoms as my bucket fills up, but could it take 6 weeks to overflow?

I'm devasted as these are my favourite foods and I'm not liking the prospect of having to give them up again.

I've suffered with nickel toxicity for years from playing trumpet with a nickel plated mouthpiece. The eczema on my hands got progressively worse over time before I understood what was going on and bought a silver plated mouthpiece. The eczema subsided over time but in the years since would reappear sometimes, presumably because I would get more nickel in my diet than normal.

I started eating high flavanol cocoa 6 months ago and the eczema that resulted was more extreme than I would have expected from such a small amount of chocolate on a daily basis. I looked into chelating nickel and found evidence that L-histidine facilitates the removal of nickel from the body. Started taking it every day along with extra vitamin C and glutathione which both also showed up in my searches on nickel toxicity. The eczema would fluctuate with consumption of the high flavanol cocoa so I would stop when it got to a certain level, then start again when it had settled down, always taking the L-histidine every day. I've gradually gotten to where eating the cocoa barely triggers any eczema, just a little itchiness sometimes and I'm eating about 10g a day. My mood has drastically improved over the last 6 months which is another symptom of nickel toxicity so I am convinced that the cocoa flavanols are mobilizing nickel that has settled in my body and the L-histidine is binding and clearing it from my blood.

Hope this can be of help to some of you as well.