Scientists have proven that metal allergy is an excessively common skin disease and occurs in about 10% of people. This diagnosis, you see, sounds very exotic. But nevertheless, the above allergy to metal brings a lot of unpleasant sensations. Gold and silver, a metal buckle of a belt, money coins, fasteners on fashionable jeans - all this can provide any person with inconvenience and significant chores. Where does this disease come from? Let's try to figure it out!
Allergic contact dermatitis: what is it
The above disease is called a disease of our time. Of course, pure silver and gold do not cause allergies. But today, these products are increasingly made with the aim of enrichment with impurities of such metals, which cause allergic contact dermatitis. It:
- nickel;
- cobalt;
- gallium;
- chromium;
- molybdenum;
- beryllium.
Allergens are able to collect in the body for a long time and at one point cause an undesirable “conflict situation” with the skin. In addition to unpleasant signs on the skin, allergic contact dermatitis can be accompanied by headaches, the formation of edema, problems with the work of the digestive tract.
Metal Allergy: Causes
According to statistics, it is the residents of industrial cities who are exposed to the above disease more than the inhabitants of suburban areas or rural areas.
Interestingly, metal allergies may not manifest their symptoms for years. Allergen retardation is often caused by the following factors:
- the state of the immune system;
- irritant allergen activity;
- patient age;
- individual nature of sensitivity to the allergen.
The reasons that cause allergic contact dermatitis are primarily prolonged contact with a metal irritant. The cells of the body under the influence of this substance change their chemical composition over time. Then they begin to be perceived by the human body as harmful, a protective reaction to them occurs.
Experts note that another important reason for the occurrence of metal allergies is the weakening of the body by frequent stresses, overwork, irritability. It is these phenomena that create excellent preconditions for the development of the above disease.
Symptoms of allergic reactions to metal
An allergy to metal on the skin has the following symptoms:
- intolerable itching;
- temperature rise;
- rash on the skin;
- keratinization of the upper layer of the epidermis and skin peeling;
- the formation of redness, which often resembles a burn in its appearance.
If the symptoms of the aforementioned disease are identified in a timely manner and the course of therapy is not started, then over time, an allergy to the metal only exacerbates the health situation of patients.
A latent threat to the human body in this direction is represented by such elements of clothing as fasteners from bras, metal buttons and fasteners.
Prosthetics and the manifestation of an allergic reaction
Allergy to metals in dentistry is a common occurrence. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- the occurrence of signs of stomatitis;
- regular pain in the oral cavity;
- the presence of a metallic taste in the mouth ;
- observation of redness and erosion of the tongue;
- inflammation of the gums and lips.
Therefore, dentists, when detecting an allergy to metal in a patient, use special metal crowns: zircon-ceramic, gold-ceramic, titanium-ceramic. The first material is very heavy. The second two are very expensive. But when there is no way out, then the dentists insist on their use, and then the patient has to agree to such inconvenience.
Sometimes, dentists say, an allergy to a metal can be triggered by the fact that several types of such material are present in the mouth, between which a peculiar “conflict” may arise over time. Therefore, doctors in this category are trying to determine the patient's propensity for such phenomena in time before using prosthetics using special devices.
Metal Allergy: Treatment
Symptoms of the above disease are successfully eliminated with the help of medications. Antihistamines include:
- Diphenhydramine;
- "Diazolin";
- "Suprastin";
- "Zodiac";
- Tavegil.
Experts warn: to independently use the above drugs without prescribing a doctor is dangerous to health! Only a doctor can correctly determine the true causes of allergic contact dermatitis and select the necessary dosage of a therapeutic agent, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body of an individual patient.
The role of proper nutrition in case of allergic reactions to metal
When observing the symptoms of the above disease, special attention must be paid to the proper preparation of your daily diet. Nutrition for allergy sufferers plays a crucial role. First of all, experts strongly recommend not to eat foods that can cross-react with an irritating allergen such as nickel.
A short list of ingredients that it is advisable to exclude from the diet for people prone to metal allergies:
- mushrooms;
- herring;
- bow;
- asparagus;
- spinach;
- tomato;
- legumes;
- zucchini;
- pears
- raisins;
- nuts
- flour products.
It is also important not to cook food in dishes made of nickel, because the accumulation of the above metal in the body of this category of people is strictly contraindicated. In addition, it is recommended to abandon the use of conservation of both industrial and domestic production.
Alternative methods of treating allergic reactions to metal
Our grandmothers, of course, did not know what the diagnosis and homeopathy of metal allergy is, but they knew how to treat it perfectly. Therefore, in the medicine cabinet of Russian healers, there are always in stock several effective methods that can eliminate the symptoms of the above disease.
Alternative medicine healers suggest treating allergic metal dermatitis with the following remedies:
- use lotions from natural fresh cucumber or apple juice (products should be grown at home);
- apply compresses of freshly squeezed juice from potatoes;
- apply homemade fatty sour cream or butter to the affected areas of the skin;
- use tinctures from St. John's wort or oak bark.
But it should be remembered that before applying the above methods for the treatment of allergic dermatitis on the metal, it is important to consult an experienced specialist. After all, any herb can aggravate your state of health, as it may be your potential allergen.
How to avoid allergic reactions to metal
There are several recommendations that can help prevent allergic reactions to the metal:
- Buy jewelry made of silver and gold without any impurities of nickel in the composition.
- Remember that the period of wearing products from the above metals also has its limitations.
- Before going to bed, it is recommended to remove all jewelry. This is done for two reasons. First: to clean the products themselves in terms of energy. Second: to prevent the occurrence of allergic dermatitis on the skin.
- When observing the appearance of symptoms of an allergy to metal, it is important to alternate wearing silver and gold jewelry.
- Avoid stress and overwork, irritation and body tension. Indeed, it is against their background that many changes develop, which cause the appearance of various allergic reactions, including to metal.
- Eliminate synthetic clothing from your wardrobe. Also, do not use unnatural powders in everyday life.
Experts note that people who are prone to allergic dermatitis on the metal, it is undesirable to visit saunas, as well as a bath. After a shower, it is always recommended to moisturize the skin with a special nourishing cream.
Allergy test
An allergy to metal always brings a lot of inconvenience. Therefore, in order to determine the tendency of your body to the appearance of allergic dermatitis in time, it is important to carry out an allergy test on your own. It is made according to the following recommendations:
- If the body already has symptoms of an allergic reaction, an allergy test is not done. It is important to wait until they disappear completely.
- After that, take the product, which is suspected of causing discomfort, and attach it to the skin of the forearm. Wearing this item is recommended for about three days.
- You can’t remove the above bandage for the night.
Experts say that three days is enough to cause an allergy to the metal. This may happen earlier.
A serious enough disease is an allergy to metal. The causes, symptoms and treatment for each person are individual. Experts do not recommend delaying the therapy of the above disease. After all, this disease can create favorable conditions for the development of other problems with human health.