I Thought I Had IBS. Nope. It Was Nickel.
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Hi friends!
A doctor told me I had IBS, and I believed it for five years because what else was I supposed to do?
Symptom 1: The Rash That Wouldn’t Quit
I had an awful face rash for years, and also an impressive collection of opinions on why, none of which were correct.
Five years. Dozens of doctors. Every cream, steroid, and gaslighting medical opinion you can imagine. “It’s just eczema.” “Maybe it’s stress.” “Try cutting out dairy?” LOL. Nope.
Plot twist: it was a nickel allergy. Systemic. Just a sneaky allergy hidden almost everywhere.
This was the first round of my allergy testing, I believe it was only testing environmental allergens this day.
It wasn't until I visited an allergist that I finally got some clarity on my systemic nickel allergy symptoms. After testing, she confirmed that I had a nickel allergy and suggested a low-nickel diet to help reduce my symptoms.
Apps That Helped
My body treats nickel like a threat, and suddenly every rash, flare, and stomach issue had a common denominator. Turns out the stomach issues everyone labeled IBS were just my body responding exactly how it responds when it’s being poisoned. Nickel Navigator and the Intolerances app fixed the food part.
I’m not here to scare you. Turns out my body just really hates nickel. Annoying? Yes. Fixable? Also yes. The second I stopped treating this like a wellness mystery and actually tested for nickel, everything snapped into focus.
Low-Nickel Food Swaps I Rely On
The only thing that changed my symptoms was eating low-nickel, consistently. This means avoiding foods high in nickel (most of the time, you won’t die from eating chocolate cake, but you might get a rash, a migraine or a stomach ache), such as chocolate, nuts, and certain fruits and vegetables. You're not sentenced to rice cakes. You just need to know what's actually causing the problem.
I've been loving making gelatin candies, fresh dairy, and more proteins. The simplest meal I make is just rice bowls with roasted low-nickel veggies like carrots and zucchini, and grilled chicken or beef. I've also been experimenting with different types of fruits that are lower in heavy metals, like cherries or pomegranate!
I put together a list of low-nickel stuff I use because I got tired of reading labels at Target: Click here!
Jewelry, Buttons, and the Everyday Minefield
Jewelry, buttons, zippers. Your cute outfit is literally attacking you. Avoid wearing jewelry that contains nickel and opt for hypoallergenic options instead. You can also cover buttons and zippers with clear nail polish to create a barrier between your skin and the nickel. Once I knew the triggers were everywhere, I stopped looking for the one thing that would fix me and started keeping my overall nickel exposure low enough that I didn't have to obsess over every meal or piece of jewelry.
The SNAS Basics You Need to Know
Peep my scoliosis LOL. So, I had to come back another day for more testing, this time to put it on my back, then a few days later to take it off and see if a reaction happened yet, and once more to check for any late reactions. I didn’t know what each little square was testing at the time; only the doctor would know when we finally looked at the results, but I could tell pretty immediately that one of them on my back was kind of itchy in the upper left corner, but not like too bad. When I came back to get the sticker off, the nurse noted that I definitely had reacted to where I was itchy and that the doctor would go over whatever allergen it was, and we found out it was a nickel and I was like oh my gosh that makes sense. Then, I made a dumb mistake at home because the sticker was off. I itched where it was itchy, not realizing that there was still a good amount of the nickel sample from the test on the spot that was itchy, and then I itched my face with that hand… it did not go well lol.
When I first learned about all of this, my mind was blown. I had no idea that nickel was in so many things before I was diagnosed with my nickel allergy. It's everywhere, which is annoying, but once you know what's setting you off, you stop white-knuckling every meal. Antihistamines and corticosteroids helped, but they're not a long-term plan, they're more like duct tape on a leaky pipe.
Staying Ahead of Allergies
Nickel allergies tend to run in families, which explained a few things for me in hindsight. In my case, my grandmother has a nickel allergy, but her symptoms aren't as broad as mine. I believe she only gets rashes with contact, but I get sick from eating high-nickel foods. Same trigger, completely different experiences. If this sounds familiar, an allergist can confirm it with actual testing instead of five more years of guessing.
Once I knew the cause, everything stopped feeling chaotic and started feeling… predictable. Which is all I wanted!
Kacie’s Top Nickel Allergy Tips
Download Nickel Navigator and Intolerances App
Ditch jewelry unless it’s verified hypoallergenic
Skip chocolate, nuts, and canned anything
Cover metal buttons with clear nail polish
Track symptoms to connect the dots
FAQs
Q: Why is nickel allergy often mistaken for IBS?
A: Because nickel allergy can cause digestive symptoms like cramps and bloating, doctors sometimes jump to an IBS diagnosis without considering metal allergies. Nickel’s systemic effects fly under the radar unless you’re specifically tested for it.
Q: How long does it take for symptoms to improve once I start a low-nickel diet?
A: Most people notice a difference within 1–3 weeks, but it can take a few months for full relief, depending on your sensitivity and how strict you are with avoiding nickel.
Q: Can nickel allergies develop later in life?
A: Yes. Many adults suddenly develop nickel allergies after years of no issues, often triggered by prolonged exposure through jewelry, dental work, or even diet changes.
Q: What hidden sources of nickel should I watch out for besides food?
A: Everyday items like zippers, cell phones, coins, and eyeglass frames can contain nickel. Constant contact can worsen symptoms, so be mindful of these “nickel traps.”
Q: Are there supplements or vitamins that can help manage nickel allergy symptoms?
A: Some people get relief from vitamin C or quercetin, which can reduce inflammation and histamine reactions, but these aren’t cures.
Q: Is it safe to eat out or order takeout with a nickel allergy?
A: It’s tricky. Cross-contamination and hidden ingredients make eating out risky. Your best bet is to stick to very simple dishes and ask plenty of questions.
If you know someone dealing with a mysterious rash or allergy spiral, send this post their way!
Resources and Recommendations:
Apps: Nickel Navigator, Intolerances
Air Purifier: Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link™ Purifier
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