Nickel release from ear piercing kits and earrings

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Abstract
Ear piercing with nickel‐alloyed studs/clasps involves considerable risk of nickel sensitisation. Stainless steel studs/clasps for ear piercing and different types of earring were stored in synthetic sweat for 1 week. The nickel release was determined. One “hypoallergenic” stud/clasp released 0.005 μg Ni; 21 unused studs/clasps and earrings released 0.05–3 μg Ni, and 11 unused studs/clasps and earrings released 6–25 μg Ni. 6 earrings which caused dermatitis released 14–442 μg Ni. Thus, all studs/clasps and earrings released nickel. Neither gold nor silver plating prevented the nickel release. Nickel‐sensitive women were asked to wear studs/clasps releasing various amounts of nickel. The most sensitive of them showed eczematous reactions to studs/clasps releasing nickel down to 0.05 μg. The dimethylglyoxime test was positive only when more than 10 μg Ni was released.