Nickel earlobe dermatitis and clinical non-relevance of the oral exposure.
OBJECTIVE
Nickel is the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Because nickel restriction is commonly imposed on many patients with the only earlobe ACD to nickel hypersensitivity, the aim of this study was to identify the role of occasional and extended oral nickel exposure in these patients.


METHODS
This is a case-control study.


METHODS
Thirty-four outpatients, previously diagnosed as monosensitized to nickel, suffering from earlobe dermatitis were enrolled; 11 of them showed active dermatitis. The control group consisted of six healthy (non-nickel-sensitive) subjects.


METHODS
High oral nickel challenge (20 mg) and protracted oral challenge (1 mg once a day). Observation period: 6 weeks.


RESULTS
Clinical earlobe lesions were not affected by a high oral nickel intake nor by a protracted oral challenge.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary nickel restriction seems to be useless in patients with earlobe ACD due to nickel hypersensitivity.
Di Berardino
F
F
Audiology Unit, I.R.C.C.S., Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Department of Otolaryngology, Chair of Audiology and Phoniatrics, University of Milan, Milano, Italy. federica.diberardino@unimi.it
Alpini
D
D
Cesarani
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D004423:Ear / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009532:Nickel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D009532:Nickel