Many millions of people have experienced the mysterious rash that can appear on skin that has come into contact with various pieces of jewelry and other metallic items. If you're among that number, you've probably already figured out that you may just have an allergy to nickel, since that metal is so commonly a part of many forms of jewelry. If you're also suffering from baldness, you might have also wondered about how and if nickel causes hair loss too.
Before answering that question, it can be helpful to understand the impact this metal can have on those who come into contact with it. Nickel is a prime source of skin irritation where metals are concerned. Since it is used in so many products, ranging from cell phones to jewelry, it is easy to understand how these allergies can develop.
Where such allergies exist, they are frequently identified by symptoms such as dry or itchy skin, blisters, and rashes. The skin can also become scaly in the regions affected by the metal. When such symptoms are seen, it is wise to eliminate contact with the metal. Alternatively, you can simply consult a doctor and have yourself tested to see whether or not you actually have an allergy.
Most doctors can diagnose these allergies visually, and confirm them with a few simple questions. There are also allergy tests that can be performed to ensure that the metal is the offending culprit, but these tests are usually not needed for an effective diagnosis. If the removal of this metal from the skin relieves the discomfort, then that is a virtual guarantee that an allergy exists.
It is demonstrably evident that this metal can cause various dermatological reactions for those who have allergies to it. That still leaves unanswered, however the question of whether or not it can cause baldness. In an attempt to answer that question, a number of scientific studies have been conducted.
What these studies have demonstrated is that there is no evident link between exposure to this metal and the loss of hair, even for those with severe allergies to the element. Scientists who have studied the issue have been left with the conclusion that any apparent link between the two can only be explained by a coincidental but unrelated convergence of a real metal allergy and what is probably nothing more than a genetic predisposition for baldness.
Yes, our genes are still the primary reason we suffer from baldness. Of course, that research cannot completely rule out the metal a a possible cause for baldness. However, it does indicate that there is only a small chance that there is any cause and effect relationship between this particular allergy and the balding process.
Of course, anyone who is allergic to this metal will probably take little comfort from this news. After all, once the allergy develops, it is there for life. Still, it is at least nice to know that someone who is allergic to this element can at least rest comfortably in the knowledge that baldness is not one of the condition's known side effects.
Before answering that question, it can be helpful to understand the impact this metal can have on those who come into contact with it. Nickel is a prime source of skin irritation where metals are concerned. Since it is used in so many products, ranging from cell phones to jewelry, it is easy to understand how these allergies can develop.
Where such allergies exist, they are frequently identified by symptoms such as dry or itchy skin, blisters, and rashes. The skin can also become scaly in the regions affected by the metal. When such symptoms are seen, it is wise to eliminate contact with the metal. Alternatively, you can simply consult a doctor and have yourself tested to see whether or not you actually have an allergy.
Most doctors can diagnose these allergies visually, and confirm them with a few simple questions. There are also allergy tests that can be performed to ensure that the metal is the offending culprit, but these tests are usually not needed for an effective diagnosis. If the removal of this metal from the skin relieves the discomfort, then that is a virtual guarantee that an allergy exists.
It is demonstrably evident that this metal can cause various dermatological reactions for those who have allergies to it. That still leaves unanswered, however the question of whether or not it can cause baldness. In an attempt to answer that question, a number of scientific studies have been conducted.
What these studies have demonstrated is that there is no evident link between exposure to this metal and the loss of hair, even for those with severe allergies to the element. Scientists who have studied the issue have been left with the conclusion that any apparent link between the two can only be explained by a coincidental but unrelated convergence of a real metal allergy and what is probably nothing more than a genetic predisposition for baldness.
Yes, our genes are still the primary reason we suffer from baldness. Of course, that research cannot completely rule out the metal a a possible cause for baldness. However, it does indicate that there is only a small chance that there is any cause and effect relationship between this particular allergy and the balding process.
Of course, anyone who is allergic to this metal will probably take little comfort from this news. After all, once the allergy develops, it is there for life. Still, it is at least nice to know that someone who is allergic to this element can at least rest comfortably in the knowledge that baldness is not one of the condition's known side effects.
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