Non-industrial nickel sensitivity in women caused by stocking suspenders is now very common in England. The clinical pattern of dermatitis is quite distinctive. It consists of primary lesions at sites of direct contact, a secondary symmetrical eruption of the "sensitization" type, and patches of associated eczema which do not appear to be directly related to the nickel sensitivity. One-fifth of all cases have an eczema of the hands. Evidence is presented that the secondary eruption is a true allergic eczematide. The high incidence of nickel dermatitis may be attributable to the strong affinity of keratin for nickel, which has been shown experimentally.