Nickel allergy is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to jewelry, but may also be produced by contact with such things as brassiere hooks, zippers, or the metal in eyeglass frames.
Ear piercing sometimes initiates nickel allergy.
Nickel allergy may develop at any age. Once you become allergic to nickel, you're likely to have the allergy for many years. Some persons are highly allergic to nickel and may get a rash from even brief contact with nickel-containing metals, while others break out only after a long period of skin contact with nickel. Nickel allergy is especially common in women. It often prevents them from wearing jewelry.