Intradermal testing and sublingual desensitization for nickel.

Thirty-nine patients with nickel allergy as diagnosed by results of clinical history and intradermal testing with nickel sulfate were treated by sublingual hyposensitization. Intradermal testing was accurate and titration showed the degree of sensitivity. The immunologic principle of oral tolerance was used in treatment. Eighty-five percent of the thirty-nine patients showed subjective improvement in their dermatitis and all showed objective evidence of decreased intradermal sensitivity. None of the patients' conditions worsened. The use of oral treatment with nickel sulfate deserves broader clinical trial.