After poison ivy, metal allergies are the second most common form of allergic contact dermatitis. They can cause redness, blistering and skin damage.

By far, the most likely source of a metal allergy is nickel, which is found in many metal products, including jewelry. Reactions are likely wherever jewelry contacts the skin, such as on the ears, nose, lips, tongue, navel, breasts and genitalia. Cobalt and chromate are also among the metals most likely to trigger reactions.

Traditionally, women have been more likely to be diagnosed with metal allergies because they have worn more jewelry. But this is changing as greater numbers of men wear jewelry. Also, men have higher incidences of metal allergy related to occupational exposures. Many construction materials contain metals that can trigger allergic reactions. Skin rashes associated with occupational metal exposure typically appear on the patient’s hands.

The increasing popularity of body piercing has led to an increase in the incidence of metal allergies in both men and women.