Some patients with nickel (Ni) allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) suffer from 
systemic symptoms after ingestion of Ni-rich foods, a condition termed Systemic 
Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS). The aim of this study is to investigate in 
children the relationship between Ni ACD and lymphocyte subsets or 
susceptibility to infections. Nineteen children with Ni ACD and 18 controls 
matched for sex and age were enrolled. All participants underwent patch test, 
skin prick test and clinical assessment. Serum immunoglobulins and flow 
cytometry for lymphocyte subset study were also evaluated. In children with Ni 
ACD a higher incidence of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and 
recurrent otitis media were detected. Serum levels of immunoglobulins and 
lymphocyte subsets did not show significant changes (p>0.05) between the two 
groups studied. We can hypothesize that in children with Ni ACD the risk of 
recurrent infections is increased. Although the clinical manifestations of SNAS 
are still controversial, we can suppose that recurrent infections may be 
considered a clinical symptom of this syndrome.