title: A clinical trial of oral hyposensitization in systemic allergy to nickel.
abstract: Nickel allergy is the most common contact allergy. Some nickel-sensitive patients present systemic (cutaneous and/or digestive) symptoms related to the ingestion of high nickel-content foods, which significantly improve after a specific low nickel-content diet. The etiopathogenetic role of nickel in the genesis of systemic disorders is, furthermore, demonstrated by the relapse of previous contact lesions, appearance of widespread eczema and generalized urticaria-like lesions after oral nickel challenge test. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of a specific oral hyposensitization to nickel in patients with both local contact disorders and systemic symptoms after the ingestion of nickel-containing foods. Inclusion criteria for the recruitment of these patients were (other than a positive patch test) a benefit higher than 80% from a low nickel-content diet and a positive oral challenge with nickel. Based on the previous experiences, our group adopted a therapeutic protocol by using increasing oral doses of nickel sulfate associated to an elimination diet. Results have been excellent: this treatment has been effective in inducing clinical tolerance to nickel-containing foods, with a low incidence of side effects (gastric pyrosis, itching erythema).
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico -A. Gemelli-, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schiavino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nucera
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alonzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buonomo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pollastrini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roncallo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Pasquale
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sabato
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pecora
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patriarca
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D009532:Nickel