[meteorite-list] About 16 percent of all people are allergic to nickel

From: Robert Verish <bolidechaser_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:10:06 2004
Message-ID: <20030408190745.84000.qmail_at_web80406.mail.yahoo.com>

Workshop Safety Bulletin:

Metal is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis
because of the popularity of body piercing, which can
result in irritation and rashes on most any part of
the body.
Symptoms of metal allergy usually occur within six to
24 hours after exposure. Affected skin can become red,
swollen and blistered. The skin may eventually darken
and become leathery and cracked. The rash is usually
limited to the area of contact with the metal. But in
severe cases, the rash can extend beyond the contact
area, especially if the allergen is on your fingers.
Symptoms usually disappear when the offending piece of
metal is removed.
The most common metal allergen is nickel, which is
used in costume jewelry, clothing ornamentation,
zippers, buttons, snaps and virtually all common metal
objects [and, of course, uncommon ones such as
meteorites].
About 16 percent of all people are allergic to nickel.
Cobalt and chromate are two other common metal
allergens.

[See, not so "Off-Topic" as you may have first
thought]

Bob V.

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Received on Tue 08 Apr 2003 03:07:45 PM PDT