From fragrance to hair dye, there are many things you might put on your skin that you could be allergic to—and those irritants can cause inflammation that leads to itching, redness, and rough, scaly skin, technically called allergic contact dermatitis. Nickel is a common culprit: Between 10% and 20% of people are sensitive to this metal, according to the CDC, and nickel allergies affect more women than men.
Identifying a nickel allergy can be tricky for two reasons. First, the reaction is often delayed. “You can wear jewelry that contains nickel but you may not get a rash for another two weeks,” says Dr. Gohara. Secondly, the reaction can occur suddenly after years of exposure: You may have worn nickel-laced earrings for 20 years, and then one day it’s as though skin reaches a tipping point where it simply can’t handle any more contact with the metal. A dermatologist can perform a patch test to confirm whether you are indeed allergic to nickel.
Avoiding nickel seems like a surefire way to prevent this type of scaly skin, but it’s harder than you might think to steer clear of. Nickel can be found in zippers, bra hooks, jewelry, belt buckles, eyeglass frames, cell phones, laptops, and your computer mouse. To avoid exposure and reduce skin symptoms, buy nickel-free jewelry (opt for surgical stainless steel, titanium, sterling silver, or yellow gold), shield electronics with a protective cover, and replace metal bra hooks, zippers, buttons, and snaps with plastic. You can also create a barrier between metal items and your skin by coating them with clear nail polish.