Alternative Medicine Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alternative Medicine, including details on complementary medicine, alternative therapies, homeopathy.

Complementary and alternative remedies: an additional source of potential systemic nickel exposure.

de Medeiros LM, Fransway AF, Taylor JS, Wyman M, Janes J, Fowler JF, Rietschel RL

Section of Industrial Dermatology, Department of Dermatology (A-61), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

BACKGROUND: Systemic contact dermatitis from nickel has been reported from a number of sources including medical devices and following experimental oral exposure. OBJECTIVE: To identify other potential sources of systemic nickel exposure. METHODS: The internet and published medical literature were searched for complementary and alternative remedies which contain nickel. RESULTS: We identified and evaluated sources of nickel exposure in 4 homeopathic preparations, which are advertised to treat common skin diseases, as well as in a number of other homeopathic remedies, several herbal products and multivitamin mineral complexes. CONCLUSION: Complementary and alternative remedies are an additional source of systemic nickel exposure and at highest doses the potential risk for systemic contact dermatitis in nickel allergic patients should be considered.

Published 11 January 2008 in Contact Dermatitis, 58(2): 97-100.
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