Learn The Truth About Whether Nickel Causes Hair Loss

By Alta Alexander


If you find that wearing jewelry more often than not results in a rash, itching, or other allergic reaction signs, chances are that you may have an allergy to the metal out of which that jewelry is constructed. In most cases, that translates into an allergy to nickel, which is a common component in the crafting of jewelry and other items. If you also suffer from some form of baldness, it may have occurred to you to ask if nickel causes hair loss.

To begin, it should be understood that this metal is the source of many common skin allergies. That should come as no surprise, given that it is a commonly used element in a variety of manufacturing processes. In fact it is so common that it can be found in everything from zippers to jewelry, certain coins, eyeglasses, and even cell phones.

Once an allergy develops, the symptoms are fairly easy to spot. Rashes and itching skin are extremely common, as is dryness. More severe cases can involve blistering, cracked skin, and something akin to scales. When these symptoms appear you can always remove any metal and wait to see if the effects disappear once the contact has been ended. You could also simply seek confirmation from your personal physician.

In many instances, this condition can be diagnosed with a visual inspection and a few questions. Other times, an allergy test is performed to be absolutely sure that the metal is the problem, but that is usually just a formality. The fact is that most people can determine if an allergy is present simply by removing the jewelry and waiting to see if the rash and other symptoms dissipate.

Obviously, we know that this metal can cause allergic reactions that manifest themselves on the skin. So, does this same type of allergic reaction have any impact on the patient's hair? Thankfully, scientists have conducted studies that were specifically designed to discover the answer to that one burning question.

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.

That may be small consolation for those who suffer from this allergic condition, however, since it an allergy that has no cure once it develops. Still, with all of the dermatological irritation that a reaction to this common metal can cause, it is still somewhat comforting to know that it does not appear to play a role in baldness.




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