New coating helps scoliosis patients with metal allergies.
21/01/2015
METAL ALLERGIES: The most common types of metal found in implants are chromium, nickel, cobalt, titanium and molybdenum; sometimes a prosthetic joint will contain one or more of these metal types. Nickel is the most common metal allergy, with up to 17% of women and 3% of men having it. In some people, the metal in the implant causes a reaction in the immune system when it comes in contact with body fluids. When blood circulates with the trace amounts of metal and reaches the skin, it causes a skin rash, called dermatitis; other symptoms include hives, blisters, and swelling of the skin tissue. The worst of this reaction usually occurs near the implant site. For patients with a titanium allergy, symptoms can range from a skin rash to pain and fatigue. So far, a blood test called the MELISA (memory lymphocyte immunostimulation assay) test is the only scientifically-proven way to diagnose a titanium allergy and its severity.
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