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Reduced nickel sensitivity in young Danish women following regulation of nickel exposure
Author(s) -
Veien Niels K.,
Hattel Thais,
Laurberg Grete
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0536.2001.045002104.x
Subject(s) - nickel , medicine , nickel allergy , patch test , contact dermatitis , danish , patch testing , toxicology , demography , allergy , immunology , metallurgy , materials science , biology , sociology , linguistics , philosophy
In most western countries, nickel is the most common contact allergen among young women. In 1991, Denmark implemented a statutory order calling for the reduction of exposure to nickel in nickel‐plated items in close contact with the skin. In a retrospective analysis, a comparison is made of the number of positive patch tests to nickel seen in a private practice of dermatology before and after this statutory order was implemented. From 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1989, 35 of 1135 (3.1%) men patch tested and 628 of 3024 (20.8%) women patch tested had positive reactions to nickel. From 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1999, 48 of 1104 (4.3%) men and 424 of 2193 (19.3%) women had positive patch tests to nickel. During the 1st period, 155 of 702 women under the age of 20 (22.1%) had positive patch tests to nickel, compared to 54 of 324 (16.7%) during the second period ( p <0.05). The most likely explanations of this decrease in nickel sensitivity are reduced exposure to nickel and increased public awareness of the risk of nickel sensitization.