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Brushed Nickel & Allergies?

15 years ago

I have a nickel allergy from wearing costume jewelry. Nothing containing nickel ever bothered me but the earrings. Does anyone else who has this common allergy have brushed nickel hardware or faucets? Is it a problem for you at all? The contact with them is so short, but I was wondering as I like the finish.

Featured Answer

astridh

15 years ago

I have a contact allergy to nickel also. Wearing earrings or a belt buckle with nickel gives me a rash. I am also a doctor. If this is the type of allergy you have, you should be fine. If you have a serious, anaphylaxis reaction allergy, you might want to stay away from nickel finishes.

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Comments (8)

sombreuil_mongrel
15 years ago
Only if you wear them a la Flava Flav. LOL
Sorry, allergies are nothing to sneeze at. OOps, I did it again. srry

To actually try to be helpful, some nickel finishes are either vacuum-applied or clear-coated; on both of those types what you touch is not the actual metal.
Casey
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bluekitobsessed
15 years ago
A lot of faucets are coated with PVD or similar anti-tarnish types; not so much the hardware.
blondelle
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, my allergy is mostly from contact to jewelry. I can wear the earrings for about a day or so, and then I get the itchy rash if I keep wearing them. Have worn mostly gold since and a stainless post now and then. Thanks so much for your replies. Makes me feel better I can use it, as I prefer that finish to polished chrome.
HU-52773177
2 years ago
Can I check to see if anyone has had any allergy issues with nickel taps or baths ?

I am thinking of installing a brushed nickel bath but worry that it may limit resale value if 10 to 20% of people are allergic to it.
Helen
2 years ago
I have a similar contact allergy to costume jewelry and you are not going to have any issues from touching nickel. If you had the kind of serious allergy that is triggered by casual touching you would have had episodes in the past since you have probably touched nickel in that manner all your life.

Having that kind of allergy, I did some reading on it and it is generally caused from long contact with the skin as well as there being heat and moisture which leeches out the irritant. For most people the real issues are places where one might sweat or there is moisture - e.g. pierced earrings, the back of the neck and it doesn't generally occur were a pendant might touch the skin and so there is less of the kind of movement and moisture where there is less prolonged contact.
HU-52773177
2 years ago
So you would be happy to use a nickle bath?
Helen
2 years ago
I woudn't choose to put a nickle bath in my bathroom under any circumstances regardless of allergy. On the other hand I wouldn't reject a home solely because there was a nickle tub although since it is not in line with my aesthetics or how I want a bathroom to function there would have to be other factors that made me overlook it.

On the other hand I believe people should renovate and design in terms of their needs and aesthetics and not second guess what a mythical buyer might want in the future.

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