nickel allergy and c-section clips

[oldmum42]

I was reading the c-section information thread in this section (as I'm due to have an elective in less than 3 weeks), and noticed a comment about a posters reaction to the metal clips used to close her section wound.

Has anyone else experienced this?

A bit of googling turned up scientific papers detailing a number of cases, and apparently the clips do (or did until a few years ago ) contain nickel mixed with surgical steel.
The reported allergies were at the wound site but also tended to break out all over the body in different places, with medication and removal of the clips required, and infections at the clip sites.

I'm asking because I have a nickel allergy (from jewellery, belt buckles, jean rivets etc and it tends to spread and be hideously itchy), and no-one has discussed wound closure with me, or asked about any metal allergies....I have a meeting at the hospital in a couple of weeks to do bloods etc, 4 days before the section date so I'll be sure to raise the topic then...........and I thought I'd post on here to warn others with a nickel allergy to ask for stitches!

The paper I read said metal clips should not be used in patients with Nickel sensitivity, but maybe they have changed the clips now? Does anyone know?

I'm sensitive to nickel. I've never even thought of this aspect of a c-section.

If I were you I would give the midwife / consultant Monday morning and let them know you have a nickel allergy.

I had dissovable stiches with my em cs and normal stiches with my planned cs so you don't always get staples. Just let them know as soon as possible just in case. Personally I wouldn't leave it until 4 days before the cs, you might have gone into labour by then!

I had dissolvable stitches. Brilliant, nothing to remove, neat scar. Could you ask for that? I know individual surgeons have their own preferences but as you have an allergy you would have an excellent reason to ask!

I too have an allergy to nickel and have a problem with "cheap" jewellery / watches etc. But I had staples after csection and they were fine. It was a bit wincey when MW came to remove them, but otherwise no reaction.

clips are not made of nickel as its a very common allergy . I'm an ex theatre nurse btw.

How long ago was the research? Just let them know at the pre-op check, they usually do one long suture routinely, not clips.

interesting PORTOFINO, I wonder if it's only certain brands that have enough nickel in them to cause a reaction.

I just went and checked my carry-around notes, as I thought I'd forgotten to mention the nickel allergy, but it's there in big letters "allergic to nickel and sticking plasters", as I was indeed thinking I should maybe phone someone, MEGLET.

IN THEORY it shouldn't be a problem if it's in my notes, but I'll be making sure I discuss it before the op incase they don't notice - I don't fancy taking the risk of a hideously itchy reaction and infected scar - you should have seen my neck when it erupted in a 6inch band of pustules after DH Aunt gifted me with a necklace she'd been assured was "purest" Silver! Took weeks to get it healed up (and imagine the of the Aunt!). British Sterling silver is fine for me, but "pure Silver" from other countries often contains Nickel. That was my worst reaction to date, and I don't want a repeat performance all over my belly!

I have a nickel allergy and had no reaction to the staples.

It is interesting though. They never asked me about allergies, and mine was elective. I was in there for a week before the op too. When I went to hospital a couple of months later for an op (not CS related!) they asked me about allergies, I said 'nickel' and got the red wristbands as a result.

It never occurred to me at the time that nickel might be an issue. I'd definitely bring it up, just in case.

Hi thecaptaincrocfamily - the main paper was from quite a few years ago, so I was hoping the clips would no longer as much Nickel (the figure of 2.5% nickel was mentioned, which is a LOT), though as I understand it, even "surgical steel" has some Nickel, (a few parts per million, due to the manufacture process), but not enough to cause a reaction in most (allergic) people.

I think the rules about Nickel content in things like jewellery has been tightened up a lot in the last few years, as exposure actually causes people to become allergic and as you say, really common.

A red wristband? I'll look forward to that PANZEE!

They don't usually use clips for c-section or at least where I worked, because they leave a less tidy scar than a long continuous suture. Hopefully they won't where you are. Good luck.

It was me that posted about the staples! They itched and stung like MAD!I assumed it was an allergy as I've got sensitive skin and breakout with 'cheap' metals next to my skin. But maybe it was as the wound was drying/tightening?

I had similar staples in November last year when I had my gallbladder out and had the same problem, so much so my surgeon took pity on me and whipped them out early.

HI Bagofholly - I was wondering if maybe it was a reaction to something put on the skin (antiseptic or triclosan for example)before the op, as us allergic types tend to breakout with lots of things (I do anyway). It does sound like it might have been the staples though, from your second reaction.

On the other hand, other posters had no problems despite nickel allergy so maybe it depends on how sensitve you are, or maybe some brands are worse than others.

I'll mention it at my check up a few days before the section and see what they say.

You've had this reaction twice - make sure you ask for real stitches if you have another op - I know some surgeons prefer the clips, but you have good reason to try something else next time!

You could always ask for the dissolvable stiches, I had staples for my EMCS 2 years ago and I wouldn't have thought they'd use nickel in them as the nurse in the above post mentioned. I never had any problems with them and I am sensitive to 'cheap' metals.