Nickel dermatitis in medical workers.

The incidence of contact allergy to nickel in medical workers has increased from 9.4 to 26.2 per cent during the past decade. Despite the many occupational nickel sources in a hospital or outpatient department, the incidence and prevalence of hypersensitivity to this metal are no higher in female medical workers than in the female population in general. Also, most of the cases of nickel allergy have been acquired before working life or are attributable to nonoccupational sources such as earrings, wristwatches, and clothing buckles. Occupational nickel sensitization is rare. Nickel allergy is a handicap in many medical jobs, and persons suffering from it need career advice.