High nickel release from 1- and 2-euro coins: are there practical implications?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the release of nickel from 1- and 2-euro coins and the ability to produce allergic contact dermatitis from the application of coins to the palmar skin of nickel-sensitized individuals.


METHODS
Three experiments were conducted. Experiments 1 and 2 checked the release of nickel from 1- and 2-euro coins by using the dimethylglyoxime test. In experiment 3, the elicitation of positive reactions was checked by applying coins to the palmar skin for 48 h under occlusion in nickel-sensitized and non-sensitized individuals.


RESULTS
The dimethylglyoxime test for release of nickel was positive in all cases. Positive patch test reactions to euro coins applied to the palmar skin of nickel-sensitized individuals were observed at 48 and 96 h.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that positive patch test reactions to euro coins can be obtained from nickel-sensitized individuals after 48 h of application to the palmar skin under occlusion. These results do not contradict other experiments in which repeated handling of coins was unable to provoke fingertip allergic contact dermatitis. A dose-response relationship is a credible explanation to support such potential discrepancies.
Lachapelle
Jean-Marie
JM
Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. Jean-Marie.Lachapelle@derm.ucl.ac.be
Marot
Liliane
L
D001530:Belgium; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000276:immunology*; D009717:Numismatics; D010091:Oximes / Q000494:pharmacology; D010328:Patch Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D010091:Oximes; C013501:dimethylglyoxime; D009532:Nickel