Low nickel diet: an open, prospective trial.

BACKGROUND

Nickel-sensitive patients may experience persistent dermatitis even if they avoid cutaneous contact with nickel-plated items.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to determine whether reduced nickel intake in food reduces the activity of dermatitis in selected nickel-sensitive persons.

METHODS

Ninety nickel-sensitive patients who had a flare of dermatitis after oral challenge with 2.5 mg of nickel but had no reaction to a placebo were instructed to adhere to a low-nickel diet.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight of the 90 patients benefited in the short term from the diet, whereas 15 others had possible benefit. Seventeen patients did not benefit in the short term. Fifty-five patients who adhered to the diet for at least 4 weeks, and whose dermatitis had cleared or improved at the end of this time, responded to a questionnaire follow-up 1 to 2 years later. Forty of these patients had long-term improvement of their dermatitis. Patients with strongly positive patch tests to nickel had less benefit from the diet than patients with moderately positive patch tests.

CONCLUSION

Reduction of the dietary intake of nickel may benefit some nickel-sensitive patients.