Nickel Hyposensitization

Hyposensitization refers to a specific therapeutic procedure that allows an allergic (i.e., sensitized) subject to become tolerant toward the sensitizing antigen, with reduction or absence of symptoms. In the case of Nickel hyposensitization, the procedure allows a part of sensitized patients affected by Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) to safely make contact with Nickel containing objects, and those with Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS) to freely eat Nickel containing foods. The complete disappearance of symptoms is observed in 50% of these patients, while the rest shows a variable degree of tolerance or, in a minority of subjects, no effects at all. No side effects are observed during and after the treatment. The hyposensitization treatment exerts its clinical effects through a modulation of the allergic immune reaction specific for Nickel.