http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2251152.stm
You are in: Health

Thursday, 12 September, 2002, 00:52 GMT 01:52 UK

Euro coins 'trigger allergy'

The one and two Euro coins were studied
The one and two Euro coins were studied
High nickel levels in some euro coins can cause red hands and painful
itching, researchers warn.

Researchers from the University of Zurich say the design of the one
and two euro coins - an external ring of metal surrounding an inner
"pill" of a different colour - lead to the release of high levels of
the metal.

They say the yellow and white alloys contain different amounts of
nickel, copper and zinc, which encourage corrosion as metal ions flow
from one alloy to the other when they are exposed to sweat for long
periods.

It is only through continuous handling and through sweating that the
nickel leeches into the skin and causes this reaction

Dr Clive Grattan, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
They could contain between 240 and 320 times the quantity of nickel
allowed under the European Union Nickel Directive, according to the
scientists.

They say this explains why some people suffer bad skin reactions to
the euro coins, but not others such as the Swiss franc which have
similar levels of nickel.

Allergic reaction

Seven patients who were sensitive to nickel had coins taped to their
skins for 72 hours. All showed positive results when they were tested
for allergic reactions.

A study published last November showed nickel levels in euros were
high enough to trigger symptoms of eczema on the hands of people with
allergies if they held the coins for five minutes.

And in January, a Barcelona hospital reported 20 patients had sought
treatment for painful itching and red hands caused by handling the coins.

Constant handling

Dr Clive Grattan, a consultant dermatologist at the Norfolk and
Norwich University Hospital welcomed the study.

"It is an interesting development and it could have important clinical
implications."

But speaking to BBC News Online he added: "It is only through
continuous handling and through sweating that the nickel leeches into
the skin and causes this reaction."

The research is published in the journal Nature.

Norwich University Hospital
Nature - http://www.nature.com/
European Union