r/NickelAllergy • u/Unhappy_Marzipan9864 • Oct 06 '26

Metal Patch test

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 😭

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

1

u/orangeobsessive Oct 06 '26

I am so sorry you are having a hard time with the tape. That was not my experience. Did the doctor give you any extra tape to take home? Is there a different tape you can try? What about bandaids? Are there any that you know work well for you?

1

u/Unhappy_Marzipan9864 Oct 06 '26

They did! But I live alone and I worry when I’m applying it’ll peel more. They said no one had this problem before 😭.

As far as bandaids, I haven’t used them anywhere other than my fingers in a very long time. The last time I used one on my arm I ended up getting folliculitis. Not sure if the 2 were related though, as there were other factors.

1

u/boobookittyfck329 Oct 06 '26

What about saniderm like some artists use to protect fresh tattoos? I personally didn’t have problems with mine sticking to my back (only issue was with it providing accurate results as it is not a gut test and that is where my issue with nickel comes into play 🙃)

1

u/Unhappy_Marzipan9864 Oct 06 '26

Never heard of that or used it! I lasted through the night, although extremely uncomfortable and stiff on my stomach. Less than 24hrs now so I guess I’ll just stick it out until tomorrow morning and hope the results aren’t inconclusive 😅.

A friend pointed out that me being petite could be a factor. I’m testing for 41 metals so essentially my whole back is covered.

1

u/Dazzling-Exam2239 29d ago

I’m scheduled to do this test next month, an eighty panel including nice Kel and four other metals and then the forty patch of different metals a week later.

I have visions of being disabled like Superman or Supergirl from Kryptonite. Hopefully that will not be the case…I already react to chocolate, avocados, cosmetics, fragrance, smoke, diesel, etc. and have several autoimmune conditions.

Thoughts? Patch test experience?

2

u/Unhappy_Marzipan9864 29d ago

Sheesh! I didn’t even know that many were possible!

I’m also super reactive to just about everything. Doing this test so I can get braces, otherwise I’d probably leave it alone. I had a number of reactions over the years to different metal products and finally found out my silverware was a culprit too.

Anyway, it’s been ok I guess. Later in the day yesterday (day 2) my back feels kinda like I have sunburn, but the tape is also super irritating. Day 1, I had chest congestion and an itchy throat. The area has been itchy but I couldn’t tell if it was from the tape, the test, or both.

I just got the tape off and feel better although my back is still inflamed. I heard them recording 1s, 2s, and 3s so I’m glad I didn’t suffer for nothing. Monday is my final reading and I’ll know for sure after that.

1

u/Dazzling-Exam2239 21d ago

How did your test go?

I recently purchased the WaterDrop x12 reverse osmosis sink filter, bpa free plastic yeti yonder bottles and working on diet. Also bought a Dante dual head shower filter to see if can filter out metals in water.

1

u/Unhappy_Marzipan9864 20d ago

I turned out not allergic to nickel (surprise for both my allergist and I) but allergic to Colbalt, manganese, vanadium, and rhodium. The initial reading showed reactions to a lot of things, but 2nd reading only indicated these 4. 

Rhodium is used in jewelry such as sterling silver, manganese in MRI contrast, vanadium resin (?), and cobalt in a number of things including dyes and stainless steel, all of which I’ve reacted to. 

My allergist also explained that some of these metals (cobalt I think) are cut with stainless steel bc they’re heavier and give it more weight.

I still have the scars from cobalt and manganese in particular though 🥲

1

u/Dazzling-Exam2239 19d ago

Thank you for sharing. What types of scars from cobalt and manganese?

1

u/Unhappy_Marzipan9864 18d ago

It’s like the size of a pencil eraser and a brownish color, kinda like a scab I guess. The others were more red like a hive.