Nickel Sensitization in Patients with Hand Eczema: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast India
Abstract: Background: Nickel is one of the commonest causes of allergic contact sensitization and remains an important trigger of hand eczema. Exposure to jewellery, piercings and other metal-containing consumer products makes nickel particularly relevant in younger individuals. Objectives: To describe the pattern of nickel sensitization among patients with hand eczema, with particular emphasis on age, sex and clinical phenotype. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 126 consecutive patients with hand eczema attending a tertiary care centre between February 2023 and January 2025. Patch testing was performed using the Indian Standard Series, with readings at 48 and 96 hours according to International Contact Dermatitis Research Group criteria. Results: Patch-test positivity was observed in 71/126 patients (56.3%). Among patch-positive patients, 59 (83.0%) belonged to the 18-35-year age group, 11 (15.5%) to the 36-55-year group and 1 (1.4%) to the 56-70-year group. Nickel sulfate was the most frequent individual allergen, occurring in 16/71 patch-positive patients (22.5%). Fourteen of the 16 nickel-positive patients were female. Nickel was also present in combination with cobalt, potassium dichromate and fragrance mix. Recurrent vesicular eczema was the commonest morphological pattern among patch-positive patients and was reported in the thesis analysis as being frequently associated with nickel sensitization. Conclusion: Nickel was the leading individual allergen in this cohort and was predominantly observed among women. The concentration of patch-positive patients in the younger age group, shows the recent shift from occupational exposure related allergens to lifestyle related allergens in the current society.
Keywords: nickel sensitization; nickel allergy; hand eczema; allergic contact dermatitis; patch testing; lifestyle
How to Cite?: Dr. Drisya Payyormmel, Dr. Ninganna Shivaraya, "Nickel Sensitization in Patients with Hand Eczema: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast India", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 996-999, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261015121029, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261015121029