For Those Who Wonder Whether Nickel Causes Hair Loss

By Alta Alexander


If you find that wearing jewelry more often than not results in a rash, itching, or other allergic reaction signs, chances are that you may have an allergy to the metal out of which that jewelry is constructed. In most cases, that translates into an allergy to nickel, which is a common component in the crafting of jewelry and other items. If you also suffer from some form of baldness, it may have occurred to you to ask if nickel causes hair loss.

To begin, it should be understood that this metal is the source of many common skin allergies. That should come as no surprise, given that it is a commonly used element in a variety of manufacturing processes. In fact it is so common that it can be found in everything from zippers to jewelry, certain coins, eyeglasses, and even cell phones.

The most common symptoms associated with this allergic reaction involve rashes, itchy skin, dryness, and even blistering. More severe reactions can include things like crusty scales on the skin. If you've experienced any of these symptoms within a day after coming into contact with anything containing nickel, you can either remove the jewelry or other items you're in contact with or seek confirmation from a medical expert.

In most instances, physicians identify this condition on sight, and simply ask a few questions about your contact with various metals to confirm their diagnosis. To be even more certain, however, tests can be conducted. These tests are seldom necessary, however. In fact, almost any diagnosis can be confirmed simply by separating the metal from the patient and then waiting to see whether symptoms vanish over time.

Obviously, we know that this metal can cause allergic reactions that manifest themselves on the skin. So, does this same type of allergic reaction have any impact on the patient's hair? Thankfully, scientists have conducted studies that were specifically designed to discover the answer to that one burning question.

Through that research, the scientists have determined that there is no suggestion of any sort of connection between this element and any type of baldness. This is true even for those who have strong allergies. The researchers' explanation for the appearance of a connection is a simple one: where an allergic individual also seems to be balding, that balding is the result of his own genetic tendencies. As a result, the appearance of correlation is merely coincidental.

Of course, science has long know that heredity plays the primary role in the balding process. And while the research has not proved beyond doubt that there is no link between this element and the loss of hair, the evidence does strongly indicate that the chances of such a link are almost zero.

That may be small consolation for those who suffer from this allergic condition, however, since it an allergy that has no cure once it develops. Still, with all of the dermatological irritation that a reaction to this common metal can cause, it is still somewhat comforting to know that it does not appear to play a role in baldness.




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