metal allergy

I'm very allegic to metal,,is a titanium gallbladder clip, metal? what kind of symtoms (symptoms) could I expect if I'm infected inside? It has already absessed and lanced,,antibiotics 10 days,and now reinfecting,,, could it be the metal in titanium clip?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Allergic reaction to titanium is possible although rare and gall bladder clips can be of titanium. Titanium which is a bioactive metal is capable of tricking the body into believing that the implant is a bone.  Because of this the bone bonds to the implant. When the implant moves after it is placed, the body recognizes it as a foreign object and rejects it. This causes an allergic reaction to the implant.

Diagnosis is done by skin patch test or blood tests for allergy. MELISA (Memory Lymphocyte Immunostimulation Assay) test is a blood test that is confirmatory for metal allergy.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.