What can I do about my baby's allergy to nickel?

My 5-month-old baby is allergic to the nickel in the fasteners on most of his clothes. Is this common in babies? What can I do to keep him from breaking out in a rash every time his skin comes into contact with the fasteners?

Allergy to nickel is one of the most common skin allergies, second only to poison oak or ivy reactions. The rash, called allergic contact dermatitis, appears from a few days to weeks following exposure. It looks like red scaly patches, often in the shape of the nickel-containing metal object that touched the skin. It is usually quite itchy. Common sources of exposure include metal belt buckles, earrings, watchstraps, rings, necklaces, and, in the case of infants such as your son, the fasteners found on many types of baby clothes. It is very difficult to find metal in clothing or jewellery that is completely free of nickel, so the best prevention is avoidance. If the objects cannot be avoided, then introducing a "barrier" between the metal objects and the skin (such as a shirt or vest under the clothing) is helpful. In older children, painting the underside of metal objects (belt buckle, watchstrap, etc.) with a coat of clear nail varnish is effective, as this also prevents contact between the metal and the skin. If your son inadvertently makes contact with nickel and develops a rash, topical steroid creams (such as hydrocortisone) can help alleviate itching and decrease the inflammation.