Nickel hypersensitivity in Slavonia-Brod county.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of nickel sulfate hypersensitivity in patients tested by standard allergen series at Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Dr. Josip Bencević General Hospital in Slavonski Brod over a three-year period. Patch testing with 5% nickel sulfate in vaseline applied on test strips was used to determine nickel sulfate hypersensitivity. During 36 months, 955 patients presenting to the Department Allergology Clinic underwent patch testing with a standard series of allergens including 5% nickel sulfate in vaseline. Positive reaction to nickel was recorded in 123 subjects. During the three-year period, positive reaction to nickel was recorded in 12.87% of study subjects, which was significantly lower than the prevalence of nickel hypersensitivity reported in the literature. Our study confirmed the lifestyle and habits to play a major role in the development of nickel hypersensitivity.