Nickel Allergy Disqualifier?

ameisen_zug

Reapplicant
5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2013
Messages
123
I have read that Allergies are a disqualifier for the Service Academies. When I was about 12, I had a skin reaction to a belt buckle and was prescribed some skin cream for about a month. It was assumed I might have had a Nickel Allergy. I went back once for the same thing a year later, but I haven't have any problems since then. I now wear most products containing Nickel without any problems.

Since I have yet to apply to USAFA, should I get a physical or allergy test before I start applying? There IS record of the skin reaction on my Medical forms, but it was never confirmed it was a Nickel Allergy (as far as I know)

Has anyone else been disqualified because of a Nickel Allergy? It is in no way life-threatening, and I'm not even positive I have it anymore. It was a small itchy rash on sight of contact.

Ahh... Any suggestions? I've been freaking out since I read this bit of news. And now I'm really worried that I will take an allergy exam and it will show up even though it hasn't caused any problems since 13-14. I'm worried about denying the allergy on a medical form since it hasn't caused me problems now, and it coming back to haunt me because the doctor wrote 'Nickel Allergy' on my form awhile ago. I figure honesty is the best policy, but I don't want to overstate anything and have it cause problems down the line ONLY because I wrote it on the form with nothing else to back it up.

Anyone able to put my mind at ease? Or any suggestions on how to proceed and get any suspected allergies confirmed before I even apply?

Thanks
 
I would not go get an allergy test and go looking for problems. Most things are not an issue if before age 13. Just answer the questions asked and don't answer the questions not asked. You are given an opportunity to explain any yes answers on the questionaire. My guess is this will not be an issue but I am not a Dr.

My son had eczema when young. Dodmerb requested all related records and since it was when he was young and had not reoccured he was found qualified.

Good Luck.
 
I can't chime in on the nickel allergy specifically, but I have dust and seasonal allergies, both mild, which are in my record... I even did the shots for a while during middle school. I don't remember how old I was.
Anyway, I didn't get disqualified, so I think you're probably fine.
 
Hi, I also am (mildly) allergic to nickel, it's not on my medical record or anything. It's been a couple months since I filled out my DoDMERB paperwork, but to the best of my memory there were no questions that led me to mention that allergy. I got qualified. Best of Luck! :thumb:
 
DD, class of 2014 at USAFA, is also allergic to nickel. I also recall no actual questions pertaining to this on the DodMERB forms(could be wrong as it was a while ago). She has not had any issues to date. She never had problems relating to this in qualifying for the Academy. She even recently had her ears pierced once again and has found that this time she is not having any problems with them. Time may well have taken care of your problem too. There are no uniforms in which she has problems with nickel contacting her skin, in case you were wondering on that too.
 
Thank You Everyone for Responses :) It has heartened me quite a bit.

I have a routine sports physical coming up on the 29th (I'm due for one anyway) and while I am there, I will ask my doctor what I have on my medical record, so if something comes up that I wasn't aware of, I can take necessary precautions now as oppose to later in the game. The only medical "problem" I can think of me having is a shin splint that keeps coming back if I train to intensively, but I don't think it is anything of concequence :)
 
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