Detection of nickel sensitivity has increased in North American patch-test patients.
BACKGROUND
Nickel allergy has been studied by contact dermatitis groups around the world, and the frequency of nickel sensitivity has been reported to be decreasing in some populations.


OBJECTIVE
To review the prevalence of nickel allergy as observed by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group from 1992 to 2004.


METHODS
The computer database of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group was used to examine the prevalence of nickel allergy over the study period and to analyze it by time, sex, and age.


RESULTS
From 1992 to 2004, 25,626 patients were patch-tested. The percentage of women tested was fairly constant (61.4-66.3%). A steady increase in nickel sensitivity was seen from 1992 to 2004. Subgroup analysis did not identify a population with declining nickel allergy.


CONCLUSIONS
Nickel allergy continues to increase in younger and older men and women patch-tested in North America.
Rietschel
Robert L
RL
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Fowler
Joseph F
JF
Warshaw
Erin M
EM
Belsito
Donald
D
DeLeo
Vincent A
VA
Maibach
Howard I
HI
Marks
James G
JG
Mathias
C G Toby
CG
Pratt
Melanie
M
Sasseville
Denis
D
Storrs
Frances J
FJ
Taylor
James S
JS
Zug
Kathryn A
KA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000485:Allergens; D009532:Nickel