Not All Probiotics Work
What I didn’t learn until much later is that most probiotics on the market don’t work.
After my daughter was born 6 years ago, my doctor prescribed birth control pills. I didn’t think anything of it and started taking them. About 6 months later, I started experiencing all the old symptoms again stiff and painful joints, seasonal allergies, thrush on my tongue, fatigue
I did not know this at the time, but the birth control pill kills the good gut flora that keeps your digestive tract healthy. Needless to say, I stopped taking the pills, and then went to work to repair my gut again.
I went straight to the health food store and bought some probiotics. I also eliminated gluten and sugar from my diet. Thirty days later, after avoiding gluten and sugar and taking the probiotics religiously, I still had all my symptoms.
You may have found this to be the case as well. You might have tried taking probiotics and they didn’t work for you. It very well may be the brand of the probiotics you are taking.
Around that time, I read the book Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism by Jenny McCarthy. In the book, Jenny told the story of how she reversed her son’s autism by keeping him off gluten and casein and giving him therapeutic grade probiotics.
That’s when I knew that not all probiotics work. You see, back when I was in my 20s, my naturopathic doctor was special-ordering the probiotics I was taking. These were not your run of the mill store-bought probiotics.
What Is The Treatment For Nickel Allergy
Treatment is often necessary for nickel dermatitis.
- Compresses Dry up blisters with diluted vinegar compresses. Do not use these if the skin is dry.
- Topical steroids Apply topical steroid to the dermatitis as directed by your doctor.
- AntibioticsAntibiotics may be necessary for secondary infection of nickel dermatitis .
- Emollients Apply soothing emollientcreams frequently to relieve itch and dry skin.
Unfortunately, desensitization with injections or pills is not possible so the allergy tends to persist long-term.
Treatment Of Nickel Allergies In Dogs
Once a definitive diagnosis of nickel allergy has been made, the most efficient treatment is avoidance. Nickel is a commonly used component to many metal alloys and is also a common dietary component as well, which can make avoidance more difficult than it might at first sound. If your allergic canine comes into contact with nickel, there are some ways that you can minimize the discomfort your pet experiences.
Adding omega-3 rich supplements or foods to your canine& rsquo s daily regimen, as well as healthy probiotic, may help prevent the skin reactions from getting debilitating by improving the overall skin health of your pet and supporting the immune system. Corticosteroids may be recommended by your dog& rsquo s doctor to reduce the swelling if a reaction occurs, as well as antihistamines to calm the itching. Secondary skin infections quite common with canine allergies and antibiotics may be prescribed to combat this dangerous development.
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Test Your Metal Items For Nickel
Test your metal items to see if they contain nickel. Obtain a nickel-testing kit from your dermatologist, pharmacist or online supplier. The kit consists of two small bottles of clear fluid one contains dimethylglyoxime and the other ammonium hydroxide. When mixed together in the presence of nickel, a pink color results. The dimethylglyoxime nickel spot test is highly specific but only moderately sensitive to nickel 1).
Apply a drop from each bottle on to the metal item to be tested first try it on a coin. Use a cotton bud to rub gently observe the color on the bud. If it remains clear, the item has no free nickel and will not cause dermatitis. If it is pink it contains nickel and may cause dermatitis if the metal touches your skin. The chemicals will not harm your jewellery.
Jewellery
Necklaces, necklace-clips, earrings, bracelets, watch-straps and rings may contain nickel. Hypoallergenic stainless steel, solid gold and silver jewellery should be safe. Nine-carat gold and white gold contain nickel. Plastic covers for earring studs can be obtained. Coating the stud with nail varnish is not recommended as the varnish soon chips off.
Nickel in clothing
Metal zips, bra hooks, suspender clips, hair-pins, buttons, studs, spectacle frames etc. are likely to contain nickel. Use substitutes made of plastic, coated or painted metal or some other material.
Nickel in personal articles
Metal items in the home
Money
Metal at work
Wear hypoallergenic jewelry
Create a barrier
How Can An Allergic Reaction To Nickel Be Prevented
While the allergy itself cant be prevented, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction to nickel is to avoid all objects containing it. Always check with the manufacturer, retailer, or label to find out if an item is made of or contains nickel before you buy or use it.
Nickel is also present in a surprisingly large number of foods and food products, including:
- black tea
- soy milk and chocolate milk
- chocolate and cocoa powders
- certain canned and processed foods, including meat and fish
- certain grains, including:
- soy products, such as tofu
- certain fruits, including:
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What Is Nickel Allergy
Nickel allergy is one of the most common causes of contact allergic dermatitis. In affected individuals, dermatitis develops in places where nickel-containing metal is touching the skin.
The most common sites for nickel dermatitis are the earlobes , the wrists and the lower abdomen the affected areas become intensely itchy and may become red and blistered or dry, thickened and pigmented .
Nickel was declared the Contact Allergen of the Year for 2008 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society .
How Common Is It To Be Allergic To Nickel
Between about 10% and 17.5% of people in the United States are believed to be allergic to nickel. Its more common in women. This may be due to higher rates of pierced ears and jewelry wearing by women in general. People usually become aware of a nickel allergy right after getting their ears pierced.
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What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome
Instead of just accepting what the doctors told me and going the conventional route of drugs and surgery, I went to the library to research alternatives. Eventually, I discovered that my problem was my immune system. It’s a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome.
Here’s how leaky gut works When we don’t have adequate good bacteria in our digestive tract, we don’t secrete the enzymes to break down complex carbohydrates. These undigested carbohydrates cause pathogenic bacteria to grow. As pathogenic bacteria increases, their toxic waste proliferates.
In the gang wars going on in your gut, the good guys are losing and the bad guys have the upper hand. The good bacteria are so busy trying to deal with the onslaught of pathogens and toxins, they don’t have the ability to protect the gut lining, which causes gut damage .
Leaky gut is surprisingly common. It affects a significant number of adults and children, including most people afflicted by ADHD, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.
Once I learned that the root of my problems was a leaky gut and abnormal gut flora, I started on my journey to healing my gut.
I started by going on an elimination diet for 4 weeks. An elimination diet means you remove all possible allergens from your diet: all grains, all sugars, all dairy, eggs, beans, and starches. For 4 weeks, I basically ate non-starchy vegetables, meat and fish.
Treating An Allergic Reaction To Cheap Jewelry
There is no permanent cure for an allergy caused by metal. The best thing that can be done is to avoid certain metals, especially those found in jewelry. Here are some steps you may take to help treat your skin after an allergic reaction:
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What To Eat & Avoid When You Have Nickel Allergy
Nickel is one of the trace elements that is found in the soil, water, and air. Therefore, it is found in most plant-based food and some animal-based food. People who are not sensitized to nickel usually does not develop any allergic reaction by eating food that contains nickel. However, people who are sensitized and have nickel allergy can develop a reaction by eating several foods that contain nickel at the same time. Some foods are high in nickel concentration but this can differ from one geographical area to another depending on the amount of nickel present.
Studies have found out that administration of nickel sulfate of 600-5600mg gives rise to hand eczema which is the commonest site of systemic nickel dermatitis. The reasons to believe that consumption of too much nickel-containing food can provoke or aggravate nickel allergy are:
- After oral nickel challenge flares up of eczema and/or nickel patch test.
- With a low nickel diet improvement of symptoms.
- Improvement with oral disulfiram treatment which is a nickel chelator.
Need Help With Other Skin Issues
Earring allergy symptoms are a common skin issue that lots of peopleexperience.
If you keep these tips in mind, though, youll likely be able to clearup the issue very quickly while still being able to wear earrings that youlove.
Are you dealing with any other jewelry allergy symptoms? What aboutskin issues in general?
If you need help clearing up your skin, check out the Skincare Archives of our site today. Youll find all kinds of tips that will help you streamline your beauty routine so you can look and feel your best at all times.
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What You Can Do
- Write down a description of your symptoms, when they first appeared and whether they occur in a pattern.
- Make a list of any medications you take, including vitamins and dietary supplements.
- Prepare a list of questions.
Questions that you might want to ask your doctor include:
- What’s the most likely cause of my rash?
- What else might cause it?
- Is there a test that can confirm a nickel allergy? Do I need to prepare for this test?
- What are the treatments available for nickel allergy, and which do you recommend?
- What side effects can I expect from these treatments?
- Can I use over-the-counter medications to treat the condition?
History And Clinical Examination
A detailed history should investigate possible source of exposure, including daily activities, environmental conditions, past and current occupations and manipulation of products. In children, it is important to examine and question their parents and careers.
Clinical features include localized primary eruptions or generalized secondary eruptions, which can be eczematous or not.
Primary eruptions are characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions on the sites of direct contact with the items that release nickel, such as earlobes , wrists , neck and umbilical region . The face and scalp may be involved from contact with cellular phones, piercing, and hair clasps.,
In sensitized individuals, transcutaneous, inhalatory, intravenous or oral exposure to nickel can cause a systemic allergic contact dermatitis. Clinical features include involvement of previous exposed areas , as well as unexposed areas and general symptoms .
The maculopapular exanthema with flexural involvement presents as a symmetrical eruption of the neck, face, eyelids, elbow flexures and forearms, hands, inner thighs, anogenital regions, and may be generalized.
Pompholyx has been associated with nickel allergy in women, adolescents and twins, but this issue still remains controversial.
Rarely nickel causes noneczematous dermatitis, such as contact urticaria, papular lichenoid eruption and vasculitis-like lesions. ,
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Nickel Allergy: Dermatologists Share Tips To Avoid Exposure And Reduce Symptoms
Avoid foods containing nickel if you are extremely sensitive to nickel.
If your clothing contains items made of nickel, you can create a barrier between these items and your skin by coating the items with clear nail polish.
Newswise SCHAUMBURG, Ill. According to board-certified dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis: a skin rash or irritation caused by touching an allergen. In fact, it is estimated that more than 18 percent of people in North America are allergic to nickel, including 11 million children in the U.S., making it a widespread public health concern.
If you have a nickel allergy, the best way to avoid symptoms is to avoid objects containing nickel, said board-certified dermatologist Jenny Eileen Murase, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology, University of California San Francisco Medical Center. However, this can be challenging, since nickel is present in many common household items.
To avoid exposure and reduce symptoms, Dr. Murase recommends the following tips:
Rashes caused by a nickel allergy are not life-threatening, but they can be uncomfortable, said Dr. Murase. If you think you have an allergy, or if you have a rash that blisters, becomes infected, or comes and goes, see a board-certified dermatologist for the proper diagnosis.
When Should I See A Dermatologist For A Metal Allergy
1 Minute Read
Your favorite ring leaves a rash around your finger. Your earlobes turn red when you wear a pair of earrings.
As many as 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from a metal allergy. For these people, exposure to common metals, such as nickel, produces an allergic reaction. Many common items can bring about a metal allergy outbreak including cellphones, belt buckles, car keys, zippers, and coins
You may notice symptoms such as itchiness, dry patches, and blistery rashes. These are signs that your bodys immune system is overreacting to metal exposure.
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Would You Believe That Keys Jewelry Zippers Buttons Eyeglasses Pens Kitchen Utensils Coins Tools Computers Door Knobs Food And Even Some Makeup Can Contain Nickel
That little factoid generally wont come up unless you or a loved one has a nickel allergy, which is a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
This allergic reaction typically occurs where the nickel touched your skin but occasionally shows up elsewhere. Symptoms develop within two days of the nickel contact and can include:
- Rash
- Dry skin patches
- Blisters that may crust over
If you experience severe symptoms such as warm skin, pain, increased redness, or pus-filled areas, you must take off anything that could be causing the reaction and visit an allergist quickly to prevent or treat an infection.
People frequently report that their nickel allergy came out of the blue. A jewelry piece they wore for years suddenly caused discomfort, only to find out they now have an allergy. Unfortunately, this allergy tends to stick around for life once it develops.
An allergist can perform a skin patch test to ensure you are correctly diagnosed. Youll have tiny amounts of nickel and other potential allergens placed on your back, where they will stay for 48-72 hours. The doctor will then examine each area for redness or irritation, which can indicate an allergy.
Many home remedies and medications can help you fight contact dermatitis under the guidance of your allergist. Over-the-counter and prescription options include hydrocortisone cream, antihistamines, and steroids.
Where To Find Therapeutic Grade Probiotics
I only recommend one brand of probiotics that is therapeutic grade and in my opinion, the best probiotic on the market: Smidge Probiotic .
There are other brands of therapeutic grade probiotics out there but I don’t recommend them. For example, the one I referenced above in Jenny McCarthy’s book did work for me in the past, but I no longer recommend because they started adding canola oil to it.
I also don’t recommend Dr. Natasha’s probiotic, Biokult, because it has additives and it also has soil-based organisms which can cause problems. I’m working on an extensive post on how to choose probiotics which I hope to have up soon.
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Does This Mean No Earrings
If youre experiencing symptoms of an earring allergy, you might bewondering if this means you have to give up wearing earrings altogether.
Some people do choose to stick to ear cuffs and other, less invasive, jewelry options after they experience symptoms of earring allergy.
The good news is that you dont have to do this if you dont want to!You can still wear your favorite types of earrings. You just have to be morecautious about the specific metals theyre made from.
How Are The Symptoms Of Nickel Allergy Treated
There is no cure for nickel allergy, but avoidance of contact with the inciting object often results in clearing of the rash. Treatments for contact allergies include lotions and creams, oatmeal baths, and other medications called topical corticosteroids that decrease inflammation. Antihistamines, medications that block a substance the immune system releases when it encounters something it is allergic to, can also be used. You might have to try different medications to see what works for you.
Systemic corticosteroids are occasionally used in short courses for severe spread of dermatitis. When other treatments have not helped, either because of spread of the contact allergy or association with other types of dermatitis such as atopic eczema , doctors sometimes use phototherapy also called light therapy which is the use of ultraviolet light on the skin. Phototherapy is a long process, and it can take months of steady treatments to produce an improvement.
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