A new book on metal allergies

The MI Free website has been neglected of late, with a lack of regular posts and some key pages in need of update, but I hope subscribers and long-standing readers will forgive me when they learn the reason — that I’ve been busy finishing my new book on metal allergies. 

It’s called The Metal Allergy Guide: Successfully managing allergies to nickel, cobalt, chromium and other metals. My aim, when tackling the project, was to write an in-depth patient guide to the subject, which would help support people throughout their metal allergy ‘journey’ — from symptoms, and medical testing and diagnosis, to identifying triggers and sources of exposure, finding safe products and cosmetics and then, if needed, examining their food intake and diet, which can be a surprising source of heavy metal intake. I hope I’ve succeeded.

Nickel allergy (especially) has always struck me as one of those allergies which many in the community have too often felt doesn’t deserve much time or discussion — at least not in comparison to the ‘big’ guns such as food allergens, or fragrances, or preservatives, or PPD, or bee venom — perhaps simply because it is so common among atopic people and is considered or assumed by some to be easy to manage.

But I felt it did merit proper consideration. And the more I researched the subject the more I learned just how many conditions metal allergies can be associated with — from auto-immune conditions and chronic fatigue syndrome, through to irritable bowel syndrome and other dietary sensitivities or gastro-intestinal disorders. I learned to appreciate that it was complicated, not straightforward, and that it very much deserved attention as many struggle with its effects daily. I realised that a ‘deep dive’ into the subject could produce a book with detailed advice that could make a difference to many. It really is far more than just a matter of being careful with your jewellery. 

And so, 45,000 words later, The Metal Allergy Guide is the result. Isothiazolinone preservatives do get a few mentions, but that’s not why I’m alerting MI Free readers to the book. The reason is that I know, thanks to all the correspondence I’ve had with you over the years, that many of you have metal allergies, and some of you struggle with them, especially when you have multiple other allergens to deal with, including dietary restrictions. 

I hope if you do decide to order a copy, you find something of interest and use in the book. As ever, feedback is very welcome — as it is for the second edition of Living with Methylisothiazolinone Allergy, which is on my schedule for 2022. 

The Metal Allergy Guide: Successfully managing allergies to nickel, cobalt, chromium and other metals is available in print / eBook formats from Amazon US ($12.99/$8.99), Amazon UK (£9.49/£6.59), and other Amazon sites.

7 Comments

  1. Karen Armstrong

    Excellent news, I’ve got half of a pin in my foot, don’t know what the metal is, it’s always concerned me. I’ll be interested to see how this could possibly be causing my allergies. Never been free of pain since I broke my ankle, of course they blame it on arthritis!!!

    Best Wishes,

    Karen

    Reply
    1. MI Free (Post author)

      I would definitely check with your doctor / surgeon as they should be able to trace it back. The whole issue of implants / orthodontics is extremely complicated. I’d liked to have done more on it in the book, but it seems controversial and disputed – some think you should test before an implant, others think you shouldn’t. I still think a lot of research is needed in this area. Very sorry you’re still experiencing discomfort.

      Reply
  2. M

    I’ve just bought this book and have Living with Methylisothiazolinone Allergy too. I noticed another book about coeliac on Amazon. I’m extremely allergic to nickel and isothiazolinones and have a lot of genes associated with coeliac disease – could there be an underlying connection?

    Reply
    1. MI Free (Post author)

      Thanks! Yes, I wrote a book on coeliac too, as well as metal allergies and MI allergy. They can possibly be slightly interconnected (MI and metal definitely are), although coeliac is autoimmune, and the other allergies are contact allergies, there is ultimately an underlying immune system connection that could make your risks slightly higher of one if you have the other. Hope the books help and thanks for your support.

      Reply
    2. Anonymous

      Try low nickel diet for 2-4 weeks make a diary of food that triggers gastrointestinal problems if your symptoms improves go to your GP and asked for information about SNAS ( Systemic Nickel Allergic Syndrome). It a condition highly associated to Nickel Contact Allergy.

      Reply
  3. Paula Fitzgerald

    I have a recently diagnosed mast cell disorder, my health was a bit off for years after getting the mirena coil but after getting a plate in my wrist 2.5 years ago it crashed completely. I’m getting it removed after a long battle with my dr’s but I can’t be given general anaesthetic so it has to be a nerve block. Would it be worth getting the coil removed as well? Can’t wait to read your book.

    Reply
    1. MI Free (Post author)

      Hi Paula. Firstly – sorry you’ve had undergone so much. I very much hope your issues improve. To answer your question, the research around implants is so mixed and uncertain, that we still don’t know a huge amount of what the best form of action is in many cases, and it has to be assessed on an individual basis. I can’t advise on something as this, but I would try to discuss it with your specialist team as much as possible before making any decision. It might be worth asking on a metal allergy facebook group of some kind whether anybody has been in a similar situation to you. There are some mentioned at the back of the book. Best wishes, Alex.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Please read the About and Privacy Policy pages before using this site. By continuing, you agree to the use of cookies. Some links on MI Free are affiliated. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close