Nickel, hands and hip prostheses

Abstract

SUMMARY: The evidence on the effect of oral nickel on hand dermatitis in nickel sensitive patients is conflicting. The evidence of this study suggests that the amount in an ordinary diet plays no part in the chronicity of nickel dermatitis although this conclusion must be made with reservations because of the small number of patients in the present study. It may be that larger doses not found in a normal diet may have some aggravating effect. Low nickel diets are difficult due to the widespread distribution of nickel in food. There is no evidence that current metals on plastic hips sensitize to nickel or aggravate existing dermatitis. Nickel allergy is not a factor in rejection so patients who are allergic to metal do not necessarily require titanium hips and pre-operative patch testing is unnecessary.