Reduced nickel sensitivity in young Danish women following regulation of nickel exposure.

摘要

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.