Nickel in the diet and its role in allergic dermatitis

There is general agreement amongst determatologists that flare of hand eczema can occur after oral exposure to nickel. Knowledge of the nickel content of foods is therefore necessary for dietitians who may counsel such patients. This review discusses the following topics: (i) current evidence for the importance of nickel sensitivity; (ii) the quantity of nickel required to provoke a reaction; (iii) the nickel content of foods and the role of low nickel diets.