I also have a reaction to nickle - especially from cheap earings (which is how i found out when i was 12 years old), any cheap jewelry, watch bands, studs on jeans etc.

I only wear gold & silver jewelry, and have to put bandaids on behind studs (or have them taken out, as i'm developing a reaction to bandaids now). I'm naughty and am still wearing my watch, even though i'm not supposed to as i have a big patch there now. I need to go paint the back with clear nail polish, i find that helps.

Starbright - they don't know for sure what triggers it - most peoples get better - but some get big flare ups. Might me heat, hormones, who knows?? But it sucks bigtime!