title: Ear piercing--a cause of nickel allergy in schoolgirls?
abstract: 960 schoolgirls of ages 8, 11 and 15 years were investigated regarding the frequency of ear piercing and the prevalence of nickel and cobalt allergy. 72% had had their ears pierced. The prevalence of nickel allergy in the whole material was 9%, among girls with pierced ears 13% and among those without pierced ears 1%. The results show that the prevalence of nickel allergy is just as high among schoolgirls as among adult women. There is a clear relationship between ear piercing and induction of nickel allergy. Prophylactic measures to reduce the prevalence of nickel allergy should be directed against this risk factor.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010328:Patch Tests
chemical_list: D003035:Cobalt; D009532:Nickel