By Alta Alexander


If you're one of the many millions of people who have experienced rashes and other symptoms of allergic reaction when you wear various types of jewelry, you've probably already suspected that you might have an allergy of some sort. In many instances, that allergy is probably related to the nickel that is so often used in the crafting of these accessories. People who are suffering from balding may also wonder whether 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.

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.

Of course, science has long know that heredity plays the primary role in the balding process. And while the research has not proved beyond doubt that there is no link between this element and the loss of hair, the evidence does strongly indicate that the chances of such a link are almost zero.

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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