Recently, I discovered that nickel FOOD allergies can cause systemic dermatitis (read: rashes, eczema). Just as a side note, nickel is a carcinogen listed by OSHA as a toxic metal. See https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/metalsheavy/nickel.html.
Nickel is found in high concentrations in beans, nuts, seeds, soy, legumes, chocolate, and leafy greens like kale and spinach. This can particularly impact you if you are vegetarian or vegan since most of you will drastically up your intake of just those foods since they're terrific vegan sources of fiber and protein (assuming you're not allergic to nickel, that is). At first, a nickel allergy can lead to complete and utter panic especially for those of us for whom, ethically, eating meat is just not an option. It's also easy to be overwhelmed by the new long list of high nickel foods. Also, cutting out dairy (low nickel) was the best thing in the world for my face. It made my skin so much clearer insofar as breakouts so there's no way I'd ever go back to dairy. It took 4 solid months of no dairy before I saw the results so, if you're trying to go dairy free for your skin, have patience and stick with it! But, back to the nickel...
I posted on social media about nickel causing systemic dermatitis but seeming like a near impossible diet for vegans and was shocked by the number of messages I got in response, almost all from people suffering from eczema/dermatitis who wondered if they might have a nickel food allergy. Some of them were self-treating and had found relief by ingesting a lot of Vitamin C, which makes sense because Vitamin C binds to nickel and prevents the body from absorbing it. I mentioned this to a dermatologist friend and, to my horror, she said, "What?! Nickel isn't in food!" I showed her NIH, FDA and American Contact Dermatitis studies (links below) showing nickel consumption can cause systemic dermatitis and she was flabbergasted. This was a common theme among the dermatologists I spoke to. Although they treat patients with eczema and rashes all the time, they're just putting band aids on the wound by dousing their patients with steroid creams which just keep symptoms at bay instead of actually locating and addressing the source of the problem. You can go to an allergist and a dermatologist and, rather than communicating and sharing information, they're so highly specialized, they can't see beyond one thing - the symptom - which is all they treat. They're like the story of the 3 blind men and the elephant. If you haven't read that story, click here. Maybe someone else has an awesome physician who is way better than the myriad of doctors I spoke to and, if you do, please let me know who they are!
At any rate, a very kind woman who works with a colleague of my husband's found and gave me what I believe is the only no/low nickel cookbook in the world (love her!). The link to the cookbook is in the Resources section, below. Using that, the American Contact Dermatitis Society research, an Italian study, an FDA publication, and an NIH study, I created a list of no/extremely low nickel foods. I find it easier and less overwhelming to focus on what you CAN eat, rather than what you can't. Since it is really difficult to locate resources for vegans who have nickel food allergies, the general advice I list below is for them. Here is a brief (kind of) synopsis of what I found. I'm not a doctor and this isn't medical advice. Everyone is different and you know yourself and your body best so do your own research and seek professional advice for any health problems. That being said, here are some general tips and tricks - ranging from food to skin care to makeup - that I hope you find helpful:
ACNE? BREAKOUTS? CUT OUT THE DAIRY
I'll be honest. I thought it was a myth that eating dairy caused blemishes. I never had true acne but I would definitely get breakouts and, as anyone who breaks out knows, they're super annoying! Dermatologists I went to gave me drying topical creams and cortisone shots into a blemish as a means of last resort but they didn't really help. Last year, I did a lot of research into how horrible, inhumane and unsafe the dairy industry is and went dairy-free cold turkey. It was NOT easy. I used to eat a lot of cheese and I love lattes. However, I found great substitutes and stuck with it. And, yes, you have to cut out goat milk, too. It's all dairy, not just cow milk. One unintended but very welcome consequence was that my face became much clearer. It took about 4 months for me before I saw the results, so have patience and stick with it. If you want to go low nickel, you're going to want to avoid no-dairy "milks" made from nuts or soy. Your best bets will be (white) rice milk and coconut milk (coconut is a fruit, or, more specifically, a "drupe," not a nut).* My favorite "milk" for taste and consistency is Ripple, which I cannot give up. It tastes, looks and acts just like cow's milk. It is made from pea protein. I have no negative reaction to it but some people with severe nickel allergies might because peas can have a lot nickel in them depending on where they're grown, the soil, etc. So, if you have a nickel allergy or just want to cut out heavy metal foods, cut them out and then test yourself with Ripple and, if there's no reaction, yay! You're good to go! More at http://ripplefoods.com.
*Please note: the co-author of the Nickel Allergy Cookbook, Charity Bratz, contacted me regarding coconut and advised that, "Coconut, which while not being a nut, still has a high level [of nickel]. Check out http://dietgrail.com/nickel-in-food/ , which mentions coconut itself, but the coconut milk may test lower." Ms. Bratz, who has a severe and life threatening nickel allergy, has done a tremendous amount of research into foods safe for nickel allergy sufferers so, if your allergy is severe, take it from her and be cautious with coconut!
NO NICKEL? LOW NICKEL?
1. WHAT DO I EAT?
First, the bad news and then the good news. The bad news is if you want to avoid high nickel foods, you have to avoid some serious nutritional powerhouses, like beans, granola, leafy greens, nuts, raspberries, oatmeal, seeds, soy, and whole grains (also avoid chocolate, citric acid and garlic). Nooooo!!!!!!!
The good news is it's do-able with a few substitutions and you may even end up a little healthier. Basically, whenever you were eating soy or whole grains, substitute eggplant and/or mushrooms. For example, instead of that processed soy veggie burger from the frozen foods section (not really all that great for you anyway), make a portabella mushroom "burger" with stir-fried onions in olive oil. Instead of beans and brown rice, make a stir fry (or bake) strips of eggplant, summer squash and zucchini in olive oil with fresh raw tomatoes. And so on. Second, take a chewable or powdered vitamin C (500mg) immediately before, during or right after meals to prevent absorption of the nickel. Be sure to stay well hydrated.
Here is a list I created of "good" foods and a sample one day menu. If you guys like it and enough people request them, I'll add more recipes. I also have skin care and makeup recommendations at the very bottom for people with topical nickel intolerance.
THE "GOOD" FOODS
apples (including apple juice and apple sauce)
bagels (plain only, not whole grain - sorry)
baking soda
bananas
basil
beer (YAY!)
beets
berries EXCEPT raspberries
black pepper
boiled potatoes (no peels)
bok choy
brussels sprouts
cabbage
chives
cinnamon
coffee (YAY!)
corn
corn tortilla chips
corn tortillas
cornmeal
cornstarch
crushed red pepper
cucumbers
dill
eggplant
eggs *not vegan
flour (white rice flour)
grapefruit
grapes
green onions
honey
kiwi
maple syrup
milk- white rice milk
mirin (Japanese rice wine for cooking)
molasses
mushrooms
nutmeg
okra
olive oil
onions generally
oregano
pears
popcorn (air popped)
raisins
red onion
rhubarb
rice flour (white rice and sweet white rice)
rice paper wrappers (like for spring rolls; again, white or sweet white rice)
salt
strawberries
summer squash
thyme
tomatoes (raw)
turnips
vanilla
vinegar - apple cider vinegar
vinegar - balsamic
vinegar - rice
vinegar - white
wine (YAY!)
zucchini
SAMPLE ONE DAY MENU
Breakfast:
* Mixed berry bowl (no raspberries)
* Corn flakes cereal with (white) rice or coconut milk
* Coffee with (white) rice milk or coconut milk
* Glass of water with 1/8 t water-soluble L-ascorbic Vitamin C powder
According to the American Contact Dermatitis Society, you must take the Vitamin C immediately before, during or immediately after eating because it must be in your stomach at the same time as the food to bind to the nickel and prevent its absorption
Lunch
* Bok Choy salad with apple cider vinegar and chopped up apples
* Grilled portabella mushroom "burger" with onions, cabbage and tomatoes if you want them
* Glass of water with 1/8 t water-soluble L-ascorbic Vitamin C powder
Mid Morning and/or Mid Afternoon Snacks
* Air popped popcorn with truffle salt and olive oil
* Corn tortilla chips with homemade tomato and basil salsa
*Grilled brussels sprouts with olive oil, sea salt and cracked black pepper
Dinner
* Sliced raw tomatoes with fresh basil and balsamic vinegar
*Veggie spring roll appetizer of green onions, cabbage, cucumbers, summer squash, and zucchini in rice paper wrappers
* Grilled vegetable stir fry of sliced eggplant, mixed mushrooms (I love Maitake and Cremini), summer squash, zucchini, onions, and diced peeled potatoes in olive oil. See here for another sample stir fry recipe.
* Glass of water with 1/8 t water-soluble L-ascorbic Vitamin C powder
*Glass of wine or bottle of beer if you want one
2. WHAT SKIN CARE DO I USE?
Skintifique is a cruelty-free, ethical French skincare line that is specifically formulated for people sensitive to heavy metals. I purchased and tried (1) Cleanser P; (2) Moisturizing Lotion HP; and (3) Protective Cream HPS. I was a little bummed by how small the size of the cream was, but it's all pretty good. My favorite is the cleanser, which is cool and calming and removes even waterproof eye makeup with ease. The lotion and cream are fine. Like the cleanser, they are calming and cool. I actually find the lotion more pleasant to use than the cream, which for some reason, feels a little powdery to me. The website offers a free full-sized product to try if you've never used their line before and I recommend using the freebie on the cream because it's the most expensive and you'll either love it or not. I am sticking to the Cleanser and Lotion, which I like a lot.
https://www.skintifique.me/#skaid=BETI1704
If you want a clean, safe, cheap body moisturizer you can get from your grocery store, a tiny bit of plain old olive oil will always work in a pinch! Just avoid Italian olive oil (which is often mixed with other oils and not actually olive oil). Here's a good link to resources for "real" olive oils: /www.mamanatural.com/virgin-olive-oil-scam-fraud/ My favorite is Trader Joe's Spanish Olive Oil. I also like California Olive Oil. Just keep in mind, olive oil doesn't offer the same protections against nickel content that the Skintifique lotion is formulated to provide.
3. WHAT MAKEUP DO I USE?
Omiana is a cruelty-free, ethical and eco-friendly cosmetics line developed for people who want "clean" makeup as free from chemicals as possible. I purchased the powder foundation, anti-redness concealer, a lipliner, and some eyeshadow. I am still waiting on the products so I will update this after I try them.
https://www.omiana.com
4. OTHER SOURCES OF NICKEL
You can test the metal around your home with a quick and easy nickel test (available at https://nonickel.com/collections/solutions-for-nickel-allergy and you can buy them in some Walgreens). I was horrified to discover my bathroom sink faucet and pipes were nickel. That kind of replacement is extremely expensive, however, if you have a serious nickel allergy, well worth it for your health and well being. Additionally, check things like doorknobs, which can be quickly and easily replaced, and jewelry. You can use Nickel Guard (or regular old clear nail polish) to coat, for example, a doorknob that you can't replace but that is nickel and is causing you to suffer an allergic reaction. Just keep in mind, you'll have to re-coat it periodically to keep it safe and it doesn't work on things you get wet, like your sink faucet, for example.
5. RESOURCES
1. Nickel sensitization and dietary nickel are a substantial cause of symptoms provocation in patients with chronic allergic-like dermatitis syndromes, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4388878/
2. No Nickel Cookbook
https://thenickelallergycookbook.wordpress.com/about/
This cookbook, written by a mother and daughter team, is comprehensive and easy to follow. It is for meat eaters, which I am not, however, I found that if I (1) substituted vegetable broth where their recipes called for meat broth and (2) substituted eggplant and/or mushrooms (especially portabellas because they're so hearty) wherever their recipes called for chicken, beef or other meats, and, (3) in baking, substituted applesauce for eggs, it was not too difficult to convert the cookbook into a vegan cookbook and even easier to convert it to a vegetarian one. If you have questions about how to do this, just message me here and I'll do my best to help!
3. Non Dairy Milks
Read my blog post about this here.
4. Skin Care
Skintifique is a cruelty-free, ethical skin care line for people with metal sensitivities. I particularly recommend their cleanser and lotion. Take advantage of the one free full sized product to try offer on their website.
https://www.skintifique.me/en/
5. Makeup
I'm giving Omiana a go. I'll update this after I've tried their products consistently over a period of time.
https://www.omiana.com
6. Nickel Test Kit
You can carry it around to test jewelry, pipes, door handles, whatever. You can also get a nickel "guard" to cover said items (but you'll have to re-apply periodically and it doesn't offer much (any) protection for items that get wet frequently, like a faucet):
https://nonickel.com/collections/solutions-for-nickel-allergy
7. "Low-Nickel Diet Scoring System for Systemic Nickel Allergy," The American Contact Dermatitis Society Journal, Vol 24, No. 4, July/August 2013 - http://journals.lww.com/dermatitis/Abstract/2013/07000/Low_Nickel_Diet_Scoring_System_for_Systemic_Nickel.9.aspx
8. Italian study of nickel content in common foods: www.torrinomedica.it/studio/alimenti/nichel/en/Nickel_Foods_Cont.asp
NOTE: I have also been researching ethical, cruelty-free, environmentally-friendly household products that are free of heavy metals, such as laundry detergent, hand soaps and the like. Please let me know if you want me to add in this information.
Nickel is found in high concentrations in beans, nuts, seeds, soy, legumes, chocolate, and leafy greens like kale and spinach. This can particularly impact you if you are vegetarian or vegan since most of you will drastically up your intake of just those foods since they're terrific vegan sources of fiber and protein (assuming you're not allergic to nickel, that is). At first, a nickel allergy can lead to complete and utter panic especially for those of us for whom, ethically, eating meat is just not an option. It's also easy to be overwhelmed by the new long list of high nickel foods. Also, cutting out dairy (low nickel) was the best thing in the world for my face. It made my skin so much clearer insofar as breakouts so there's no way I'd ever go back to dairy. It took 4 solid months of no dairy before I saw the results so, if you're trying to go dairy free for your skin, have patience and stick with it! But, back to the nickel...
I posted on social media about nickel causing systemic dermatitis but seeming like a near impossible diet for vegans and was shocked by the number of messages I got in response, almost all from people suffering from eczema/dermatitis who wondered if they might have a nickel food allergy. Some of them were self-treating and had found relief by ingesting a lot of Vitamin C, which makes sense because Vitamin C binds to nickel and prevents the body from absorbing it. I mentioned this to a dermatologist friend and, to my horror, she said, "What?! Nickel isn't in food!" I showed her NIH, FDA and American Contact Dermatitis studies (links below) showing nickel consumption can cause systemic dermatitis and she was flabbergasted. This was a common theme among the dermatologists I spoke to. Although they treat patients with eczema and rashes all the time, they're just putting band aids on the wound by dousing their patients with steroid creams which just keep symptoms at bay instead of actually locating and addressing the source of the problem. You can go to an allergist and a dermatologist and, rather than communicating and sharing information, they're so highly specialized, they can't see beyond one thing - the symptom - which is all they treat. They're like the story of the 3 blind men and the elephant. If you haven't read that story, click here. Maybe someone else has an awesome physician who is way better than the myriad of doctors I spoke to and, if you do, please let me know who they are!
At any rate, a very kind woman who works with a colleague of my husband's found and gave me what I believe is the only no/low nickel cookbook in the world (love her!). The link to the cookbook is in the Resources section, below. Using that, the American Contact Dermatitis Society research, an Italian study, an FDA publication, and an NIH study, I created a list of no/extremely low nickel foods. I find it easier and less overwhelming to focus on what you CAN eat, rather than what you can't. Since it is really difficult to locate resources for vegans who have nickel food allergies, the general advice I list below is for them. Here is a brief (kind of) synopsis of what I found. I'm not a doctor and this isn't medical advice. Everyone is different and you know yourself and your body best so do your own research and seek professional advice for any health problems. That being said, here are some general tips and tricks - ranging from food to skin care to makeup - that I hope you find helpful:
ACNE? BREAKOUTS? CUT OUT THE DAIRY
I'll be honest. I thought it was a myth that eating dairy caused blemishes. I never had true acne but I would definitely get breakouts and, as anyone who breaks out knows, they're super annoying! Dermatologists I went to gave me drying topical creams and cortisone shots into a blemish as a means of last resort but they didn't really help. Last year, I did a lot of research into how horrible, inhumane and unsafe the dairy industry is and went dairy-free cold turkey. It was NOT easy. I used to eat a lot of cheese and I love lattes. However, I found great substitutes and stuck with it. And, yes, you have to cut out goat milk, too. It's all dairy, not just cow milk. One unintended but very welcome consequence was that my face became much clearer. It took about 4 months for me before I saw the results, so have patience and stick with it. If you want to go low nickel, you're going to want to avoid no-dairy "milks" made from nuts or soy. Your best bets will be (white) rice milk and coconut milk (coconut is a fruit, or, more specifically, a "drupe," not a nut).* My favorite "milk" for taste and consistency is Ripple, which I cannot give up. It tastes, looks and acts just like cow's milk. It is made from pea protein. I have no negative reaction to it but some people with severe nickel allergies might because peas can have a lot nickel in them depending on where they're grown, the soil, etc. So, if you have a nickel allergy or just want to cut out heavy metal foods, cut them out and then test yourself with Ripple and, if there's no reaction, yay! You're good to go! More at http://ripplefoods.com.
*Please note: the co-author of the Nickel Allergy Cookbook, Charity Bratz, contacted me regarding coconut and advised that, "Coconut, which while not being a nut, still has a high level [of nickel]. Check out http://dietgrail.com/nickel-in-food/ , which mentions coconut itself, but the coconut milk may test lower." Ms. Bratz, who has a severe and life threatening nickel allergy, has done a tremendous amount of research into foods safe for nickel allergy sufferers so, if your allergy is severe, take it from her and be cautious with coconut!
NO NICKEL? LOW NICKEL?
1. WHAT DO I EAT?
First, the bad news and then the good news. The bad news is if you want to avoid high nickel foods, you have to avoid some serious nutritional powerhouses, like beans, granola, leafy greens, nuts, raspberries, oatmeal, seeds, soy, and whole grains (also avoid chocolate, citric acid and garlic). Nooooo!!!!!!!
The good news is it's do-able with a few substitutions and you may even end up a little healthier. Basically, whenever you were eating soy or whole grains, substitute eggplant and/or mushrooms. For example, instead of that processed soy veggie burger from the frozen foods section (not really all that great for you anyway), make a portabella mushroom "burger" with stir-fried onions in olive oil. Instead of beans and brown rice, make a stir fry (or bake) strips of eggplant, summer squash and zucchini in olive oil with fresh raw tomatoes. And so on. Second, take a chewable or powdered vitamin C (500mg) immediately before, during or right after meals to prevent absorption of the nickel. Be sure to stay well hydrated.
Here is a list I created of "good" foods and a sample one day menu. If you guys like it and enough people request them, I'll add more recipes. I also have skin care and makeup recommendations at the very bottom for people with topical nickel intolerance.
THE "GOOD" FOODS
apples (including apple juice and apple sauce)
bagels (plain only, not whole grain - sorry)
baking soda
bananas
basil
beer (YAY!)
beets
berries EXCEPT raspberries
black pepper
boiled potatoes (no peels)
bok choy
brussels sprouts
cabbage
chives
cinnamon
coffee (YAY!)
corn
corn tortilla chips
corn tortillas
cornmeal
cornstarch
crushed red pepper
cucumbers
dill
eggplant
eggs *not vegan
flour (white rice flour)
grapefruit
grapes
green onions
honey
kiwi
maple syrup
milk- white rice milk
mirin (Japanese rice wine for cooking)
molasses
mushrooms
nutmeg
okra
olive oil
onions generally
oregano
pears
popcorn (air popped)
raisins
red onion
rhubarb
rice flour (white rice and sweet white rice)
rice paper wrappers (like for spring rolls; again, white or sweet white rice)
salt
strawberries
summer squash
thyme
tomatoes (raw)
turnips
vanilla
vinegar - apple cider vinegar
vinegar - balsamic
vinegar - rice
vinegar - white
wine (YAY!)
zucchini
SAMPLE ONE DAY MENU
Breakfast:
* Mixed berry bowl (no raspberries)
* Corn flakes cereal with (white) rice or coconut milk
* Coffee with (white) rice milk or coconut milk
* Glass of water with 1/8 t water-soluble L-ascorbic Vitamin C powder
According to the American Contact Dermatitis Society, you must take the Vitamin C immediately before, during or immediately after eating because it must be in your stomach at the same time as the food to bind to the nickel and prevent its absorption
Lunch
* Bok Choy salad with apple cider vinegar and chopped up apples
* Grilled portabella mushroom "burger" with onions, cabbage and tomatoes if you want them
* Glass of water with 1/8 t water-soluble L-ascorbic Vitamin C powder
Mid Morning and/or Mid Afternoon Snacks
* Air popped popcorn with truffle salt and olive oil
* Corn tortilla chips with homemade tomato and basil salsa
*Grilled brussels sprouts with olive oil, sea salt and cracked black pepper
Dinner
* Sliced raw tomatoes with fresh basil and balsamic vinegar
*Veggie spring roll appetizer of green onions, cabbage, cucumbers, summer squash, and zucchini in rice paper wrappers
* Grilled vegetable stir fry of sliced eggplant, mixed mushrooms (I love Maitake and Cremini), summer squash, zucchini, onions, and diced peeled potatoes in olive oil. See here for another sample stir fry recipe.
* Glass of water with 1/8 t water-soluble L-ascorbic Vitamin C powder
*Glass of wine or bottle of beer if you want one
2. WHAT SKIN CARE DO I USE?
Skintifique is a cruelty-free, ethical French skincare line that is specifically formulated for people sensitive to heavy metals. I purchased and tried (1) Cleanser P; (2) Moisturizing Lotion HP; and (3) Protective Cream HPS. I was a little bummed by how small the size of the cream was, but it's all pretty good. My favorite is the cleanser, which is cool and calming and removes even waterproof eye makeup with ease. The lotion and cream are fine. Like the cleanser, they are calming and cool. I actually find the lotion more pleasant to use than the cream, which for some reason, feels a little powdery to me. The website offers a free full-sized product to try if you've never used their line before and I recommend using the freebie on the cream because it's the most expensive and you'll either love it or not. I am sticking to the Cleanser and Lotion, which I like a lot.
https://www.skintifique.me/#skaid=BETI1704
If you want a clean, safe, cheap body moisturizer you can get from your grocery store, a tiny bit of plain old olive oil will always work in a pinch! Just avoid Italian olive oil (which is often mixed with other oils and not actually olive oil). Here's a good link to resources for "real" olive oils: /www.mamanatural.com/virgin-olive-oil-scam-fraud/ My favorite is Trader Joe's Spanish Olive Oil. I also like California Olive Oil. Just keep in mind, olive oil doesn't offer the same protections against nickel content that the Skintifique lotion is formulated to provide.
3. WHAT MAKEUP DO I USE?
Omiana is a cruelty-free, ethical and eco-friendly cosmetics line developed for people who want "clean" makeup as free from chemicals as possible. I purchased the powder foundation, anti-redness concealer, a lipliner, and some eyeshadow. I am still waiting on the products so I will update this after I try them.
https://www.omiana.com
4. OTHER SOURCES OF NICKEL
You can test the metal around your home with a quick and easy nickel test (available at https://nonickel.com/collections/solutions-for-nickel-allergy and you can buy them in some Walgreens). I was horrified to discover my bathroom sink faucet and pipes were nickel. That kind of replacement is extremely expensive, however, if you have a serious nickel allergy, well worth it for your health and well being. Additionally, check things like doorknobs, which can be quickly and easily replaced, and jewelry. You can use Nickel Guard (or regular old clear nail polish) to coat, for example, a doorknob that you can't replace but that is nickel and is causing you to suffer an allergic reaction. Just keep in mind, you'll have to re-coat it periodically to keep it safe and it doesn't work on things you get wet, like your sink faucet, for example.
5. RESOURCES
1. Nickel sensitization and dietary nickel are a substantial cause of symptoms provocation in patients with chronic allergic-like dermatitis syndromes, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4388878/
2. No Nickel Cookbook
https://thenickelallergycookbook.wordpress.com/about/
This cookbook, written by a mother and daughter team, is comprehensive and easy to follow. It is for meat eaters, which I am not, however, I found that if I (1) substituted vegetable broth where their recipes called for meat broth and (2) substituted eggplant and/or mushrooms (especially portabellas because they're so hearty) wherever their recipes called for chicken, beef or other meats, and, (3) in baking, substituted applesauce for eggs, it was not too difficult to convert the cookbook into a vegan cookbook and even easier to convert it to a vegetarian one. If you have questions about how to do this, just message me here and I'll do my best to help!
3. Non Dairy Milks
Read my blog post about this here.
4. Skin Care
Skintifique is a cruelty-free, ethical skin care line for people with metal sensitivities. I particularly recommend their cleanser and lotion. Take advantage of the one free full sized product to try offer on their website.
https://www.skintifique.me/en/
5. Makeup
I'm giving Omiana a go. I'll update this after I've tried their products consistently over a period of time.
https://www.omiana.com
6. Nickel Test Kit
You can carry it around to test jewelry, pipes, door handles, whatever. You can also get a nickel "guard" to cover said items (but you'll have to re-apply periodically and it doesn't offer much (any) protection for items that get wet frequently, like a faucet):
https://nonickel.com/collections/solutions-for-nickel-allergy
7. "Low-Nickel Diet Scoring System for Systemic Nickel Allergy," The American Contact Dermatitis Society Journal, Vol 24, No. 4, July/August 2013 - http://journals.lww.com/dermatitis/Abstract/2013/07000/Low_Nickel_Diet_Scoring_System_for_Systemic_Nickel.9.aspx
8. Italian study of nickel content in common foods: www.torrinomedica.it/studio/alimenti/nichel/en/Nickel_Foods_Cont.asp
NOTE: I have also been researching ethical, cruelty-free, environmentally-friendly household products that are free of heavy metals, such as laundry detergent, hand soaps and the like. Please let me know if you want me to add in this information.
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