Respiratory manifestations due to nickel.

Nickel sulphate more frequently determines allergic dermatitis due to contact (contact eczema); less known are nasal inflammation (rhinitis) and bronchial asthma caused by nickel sulphate. Sporadic cases, often related to patients' work have been reported in the literature. The research described herein refers to 20 patients presenting clear nickel allergy with rhinitis (associated in 11 cases with asthma). The patients, all females, revealed positivity to this kind of allergy: patch test, prick tests with nickel sulphate, nasal provocation test by nickel sulphate, computed tomography of paranasal sinuses, spirometry and bronchial provocation test with metacholine, oral provocation test with nickel sulphate were employed. A strict long-term diet with food with low nickel content (2-4 months at least) led to a progressive reduction of nasal symptoms (rhinorrea, sneezing, nasal obstruction) and an improvement in bronchial symptoms and functional parameters.