If you’re allergic to nickel then the chances are you’ll know the basics. If you’ve had a diagnosis after testing at an allergy clinic you probably got the one page handout that I received, which was helpful but by no means expansive.
There are a lot of places nickel can be found that you would not expect it to be.
Reading this book, The Metal Allergy Guide, by Alex Gazzola really opened my eyes to just how much more there was to this allergy, and I thought I was somewhat of an expert.
In the book Alex tackles every single aspect of nickel allergy, right from testing and getting a diagnosis to how to avoid exposure, finding safe products (there are loads of useful links and resources) cosmetics, medical treatments and especially low nickel diets -something I’ve found really hard to understand.
Not only does Alex identify potential pitfalls and areas for exposure, but also shares safe alternatives for nickel free products.
And if you are allergic to nickel, it’s not easy at all to work out which foods are good and which bad because so many resources seem to differ in their analysis.
Nickel free and low nickel diet
The chapter I learnt most from was the food chapter, and I need to go back to this one and learn more and really look at what I eat, because it would seem I am unwittingly consuming quite a few foods on the high to moderate nickel content list. Foods can contain nickel naturally, or from being stored in tins, cooked in metal pans, served in metal urns (tea and coffee) or even your water system, pipes and the inside of your kettle!
There was also a great chapter on jewellery with links to places where you can buy safe rings, necklaces and watches – another really useful chapter.
My mind is reeling with possibilities for improving my skin through the things I’ve learnt in this book.
It really is a must read for anyone with nickel, cobalt or chromium allergy and I actually have an allergy to all three!
This book should be recommended to everyone testing positive for nickel allergy and I will be telling my allergy consultant about it on my next visit.
One of my favourite resources that Alex recommends was the Nickely Challenged website which explores nickel diets, low nickel recipes and more.
There are tonnes of other resources but you’ll have to buy the book to find them all.
The Metal Allergy Guide by Alex Gazzola is available on Amazon.
Dear Ruth – this is lovely to read, and I’m so glad you have found it useful. If it sells miserably but I know that even one little thing in it has helped you, then it will still have been worth it!
And for any of your followers reading – if you have questions, I’d be happy to answer them, or try to. Pop them here and I’ll check in over the coming week – or perhaps Ruth can give me a nudge if any appear!
Alex.
AWWW I’m glad you like the review. Genuinely it’s a great book. And I will certainly let you know if I get any questions. Quite a bit of interest over on Insta so hope we can get that book out there where it belongs. Because the one page handout the NHS gave me was shockingly inadequate.