Nickel allergy?

My daughter (15y/o) is currently in an Nplate study. She is stuck weekly- once for a blood draw (ok sometimes twice) and once for the study drug. Over the last few months she has been developing an itchy rash at/around the injection site. The rash essentially resolves by the next scheduled visit BUT has progressively gotten worse which has perked up our hematologist's ears. They are thinking it is likely a nickel allergy as there is a small percentage of nickel in the stainless steel needles. Needless to say,they have been unable to find/locate nickel-free needles to try.
Anyone out there ever experienced this and if so how was it managed? Right now, the hematologist is premedicating with benadryl... we have tried topical benadryl and oral benadryl the evening after the sticks but no help so far. This is becoming concerning as my daughter is chronic, refractory. She lives with single digit counts and receives IVIG when we need her counts up (vacations out of state/summer camps/activities/etc and/or when she just can't cope with the fatigue anymore). Usually gets IVIG every 6-8weeks. Would hate for a localized allergy/senstivity to turn into a severe allergy.... thanks.

I've known people with nickel allergy. They get an itchy spot where the back of a blue jeans button makes contact with the tummy. I've also known people sensitive to betadine and other cleansers and the latex in tapes. Is the itchy spot truly confined to just around the needle hole?
Norma

Before the hematologist determined it was likely a nickel allergy they tried changing everything from how they cleansed the skin-> alcohol to betadine to chlorohexadine, to changing the bandaid, etc. Nothing made a difference. The rash starts local around the injection site. If she is stuck in the hand the rash will spread to up above her wrist. I have found some articles in the Journal of Dermatology that describe exactly the same rash/symptoms but no solution.

Maybe a dermatologist could help. I'd try that.

Well, finally took my daughter to an allergist. After a week of allergy testing... ALL was negative: NO allergies. Luckily, (OK not really) my daughter had been in the hospital the previous week for IVIG and she took pictures of the places she had been stuck and the rash that comes up. The allergist reported she had never heard of or seen a case like this. Said she could not find anything in the literature either. Definitely NOT a nickel allergy. Was hoping for more information as my daughter will be entering another Nplate study in the next month or so and will begin getting stuck 2-3 x per week...... Personally, I think her body is just reacting to the trauma of the puncture...but, who knows.

Would love to hear if anyone else has had similar experience.

Tomorrow is my duaghter's 3 year anniversary since diagnosis. Really hoping Nplate works for her and we can avoid any more IVIG for 2014!!!!

I am not sure if I can really shed any light on the matter but I cannot wear cheap earings, have to coat the back of jeans snaps with clear nail polish because I get terrific rashes and itching I was told it is a nickel allergy (never been tested tho')
I had IVIG every week and SOMETIMES had a bad rash round the needle incision. I am now on Nplate and SOMETIMES get the same reaction - I am self injecting now but it has happened both when I did it and at the hospital. I often wonder if there is some connection between my plt count, stress levels etc. Just like ITP - unpredictable. I don`t know if I have helped and as for Nplate - that is the best thing that has happened to me - counts in the mid 30s -50s no noticable side effects and it only takes a few mins to inject.
BTW I`ve had ITP for 35+ years. Hope everything sorts out and as many on this site say ITP is a roller coaster. Christine

juliannesmom wrote: I've known people with nickel allergy. They get an itchy spot where the back of a blue jeans button makes contact with the tummy. I've also known people sensitive to betadine and other cleansers and the latex in tapes. Is the itchy spot truly confined to just around the needle hole?
Norma

That's me. My skin is extremely sensitive to nickel. I can't even wear belts with a metal buckle because that gives me a terrible rash. With jeans, the button does give me a rash, but it's not as bad as with belts.