Metal contact dermatitis: a common and potentially debilitating disease.

Since the term allergy was introduced in the early years of this century a very diverse range of agents eliciting an allergic response has been identified. Among them, nickel was identified in 1925 and since then other metals, notably cobalt and chromium, have been shown to be implicated. Metal contact dermatitis can be initiated by a wide range of everyday articles-such as watches, earrings, and buttons--and is more prevalent than is generally supposed.