Anyone Develop Nickel Allergy?

[cll2013]

Could our CLL compromised immune systems be the culprit behind my having developed a nickel allergy at age 77 and 7 years into diagnosis? The very itchy rash between fingers, having spread to palms and wrists, drives me crazy at times. Steroids help only temporarily. Nickel is in so many products - - coins, kitchen knobs, door handles, eye glass frames, cell phones, paper clips, zippers & snaps, belt buckles. I was surprised how many foods contain nickel - - oatmeal, peas, nuts & seeds, chocolate, tuna is very high, broccoli, and on it goes. I now use a cloth on all handles but there is no change in the condition. I will find an allergist and try to determine the foods that bother me the most.

[AdrianUK]

We have a screwed up immune system. It’s not just the actual CLL cells. It’s the absence of proper amounts of regulatory immunoglobulins, the mucked up levels of various highly complicated and supposed to be finally balanced citokines (which have a regulatory effect on the immune system and also affects our brain re energy levels mood etc). And we have mucked up T cells even before treatment. And all current treatments tend to make the immune dysfunction worse initially.

So no crap we should expect that at least some of us will get problems with allergies being much worse. in my case my asthma, my nasal congestion and my own urticaria which has all been minor issues in the past have become major issues since diagnosis.

Not everyone gets this. But some of us do. Just like some of us get auto-immune problems too. And of course our repeated infections and the risk of secondary cancers are all directly related to our Screwed up immune system. So when someone says it’s not really related to CLL it’s kinda crazy.

It’s probably the case that we should think of CLL as primarily an immune disorder. There are aspects of immune problems which seem to even predate the grown of CLL cells. Our body is meant to destroy any slightly dodgy lymphocytes. They are deliberately engineered to mutate to make new antibodies and to be able to multiply rapidly when those antibodies are needed. So they need to be kept in check. It seems likely that the immune dysfunction that fails to keep the lymphocytes in check is the primary problem.

So what to do about it?

I do wonder(speculatively) if IVIG might help this and wonder if anyone else has experienced that since it might help to regulate the immune system again?

I too am on high dose fexofenadine which seems to be (at least for me) stronger than some of the other antihistamines. Under close medical supervision (including ECG tests) I’ve ended up on four times the licensed dose! I still get itchy skin and sometimes dermatographia but no actual hives.

I’ve been tested and am allergic to dust mites (not new) and I think for me that’s probably the root of the problem but it’s so much worse post CLL. I will be looking into further ways to try and control the dust mite population in my bedroom.

Just in case you also have the nasal issues I also take sterimar (a sterile saline nose wash spray ) and dymista a combination of topical antihistamine and steroid spray. For me at least this cocktail also seems to help me get less sinus infections than I was perhaps by reducing the amount of static mucus.

[Carolco]

I have a nickel alloy allergy myself. I have had it since my teen years. I am now 75 years old. Diagnosed with CLL in 2016. I never thought about nickel in food sources. I can only wear 18 or 24 Karate gold. Good luck with your issues.

[Quarry]

You have it bad and should certainly seek out more advice from professionals. I have (since I wore a watch, so I guess aged 8ish) a mild allergy, so have had to ensure any watch back does not contain nickel. However, I only get rash if the culprit is rubbing my skin....coins, door handles etc no problem.

[G1llHa1n]

Watch out for onions and leeks too - they also contain nickel.

My sister has the allergy and they give her real digestive problems.

[Ysabeau]

On a practical level clear nail polish painted on the back of something that is next to your skin helps. Regards Y