Nickel release, not nickel content, is an important factor in cases of nickel allergic contact dermatitis, the authors added. For nickel release to occur, prolonged skin contact is required. According to the European Chemicals Agency, prolonged exposure is defined as more than 10 minutes over three or more occasions within a 2-week period or more than 30 minutes over one or more occasion within the same 2 weeks.
The research was funded by the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and in part, by the Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association. Three of the researchers have ties to various pharmaceutical companies and other organizations. Dr. Warshaw and the remaining researchers had no relevant financial disclosures.
SOURCE: Warshaw EM et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Apr 14. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.071.