History of Metal Allergy - Basics

Metal allergy refers to a type of hypersensitivity reaction of the body against metal substances. One of the most common types of metal allergy is skin allergy against nickel especially in women who are using cheap jewelries that are made from nickel or with high nickel alloy. It has been said that 10 percent of the population unknowingly suffer from some sort of metal allergy. This cell-mediated type of hypersensitivity reaction can irritate the skin, causing rashes, eczema and inflammation with every close contact with a metal allergen.

Orthopedic patients who have implants in them may suffer from metallic allergies in one way or the other and may manifest the same signs and symptoms of cell mediated hypersensitivity reaction. These manifestations will only stop when the implants made of metal are removed.

Back in the Victorian era, the aristocratic women of Europe were fond of white creams to make their faces powdery white. This back then was trend of beauty and refinement. However, this powder caused poisoning because the powder itself was made of lead. For women who used this on themselves who had suffered from lead poisoning also suffered severe cases of metal allergy from using lead.

Metal undergo a process called corrosion. Corrosion is a process of metal deterioration, gnawing away layers of metal from the metals surface. Rusting is the most common type of corrosion that leave no visible marks on the metal surface.

When two kinds of metal are in close contact with each other, or when these metals are subjected to a friction, these metals corrode more easily. In patients who have undergone total hip replacement friction takes place upon moving. The site where there friction may occur between two different metals is the taper junction. It is during corrosion that metal allergies take place.

Another factor that facilitates the process of corrosion of the metal is when the piece of metal is divided into small particles. These particles then corrode more easily when they fuse with other metal substances. The byproducts of corrosion may enter the circulation that may cause metallic toxicity such as cobalt and chrome.

The history of determining the type of metal allergy id detected through tests to determine the type of metal allergen. It is through a test called patch testing that metallic salts are mixed with non allergenic ointments to be placed on the skin and be tested for 48 hours. It is a simple and inexpensive, however, the implications of the test may not be enough to precisely determine the main cause of allergy. Several medical experts believe that that the test is not accurate when it comes to studying the development of allergies in patients with artificial implants made of metal. This test, however, can detect common metal allergies such as cobalt, nickel, mercury, silver, lead, chromate and other metallic alloys.

Whenever a positive response comes up that implicates metal allergy, it is necessary to be given detailed information regarding the specific type of allergy that came out positive. You should stay away from any type of allergen or an further contact with them. To make sure that you do not ingest or apply anything that has metal that you are allergic to, it is a good idea to read the ingredients and substances labels carefully. Using barriers like gloves if and when its possible can decrease your exposure to allergies as well. Finally, in any diagnostic procedure that is invasive, inform your physician immediately before these procedures are done.