Woman with allergies to coins

Emma Killilea never used coins because she was allergic to nickel. Her palms will swell and sores cause severe itching whenever she holds coins.

Emma Killilea, 39, is severely allergic to any nickel-containing item - including coins, jewelry, metal buttons and zippers.

Although she was diagnosed with allergies, she could do nothing to stop her effects, usually lasting 24 hours. This bizarre syndrome forced Emma to use her credit card during shopping to avoid getting back the coins.

Emma had to use gloves to protect her hands from contact with coins

Emma, ​​from Sheffield (Yorkshire, England), said: "The list of things I cannot use because of allergies is longer than the things I can use. It is very difficult and frustrating. Because you always discover new objects with nickel ".

"Allergy makes shopping for me a nightmare," Emma said. Recently, she discovered that nail polish can limit the impact of nickel containers on her skin. "Coin paint sounds unrealistic but at least expensive jeans can still be used . "

Emma said, the copper coin caused her the most trouble."My palm will be itchy and uncomfortable all day." At 9 years old, Emma discovered the disease for the first time when she was given a gold necklace by her aunt. She had a rash and discomfort in the lines that exposed her skin.

"Then, a little bigger, when I started getting pocket money, I realized that holding the coins for too long also made me feel itchy and painful."

Nickel allergies are on the rise because the number of metal-containing products is increasing, but serious cases like Emma are still quite rare.