According to a recent study in the International Journal of Dermatology, 1 in 10 women areallergic to nickel—but only 2% of men are. Why? Well, nickel is literally everywhere, in food, cigarettes, and cell phones. But some of the biggest predictors for nickel allergies are ear piercings and wearing jewelry.  This means that, ladies, unless the 80s are back, that’s mostly us. Nickel allergies are responsible for unsightly rashes, some eczema, and blisters at the site of contact. And they’re on the rise: It’s now the most common contact allergen in kids. Plus, once you develop a nickel allergy—which can occur at any age—it’s typically a lifelong condition.  The UK has been on the case for years, having banned the use of nickel in products that involve prolonged skin exposure in 2000. But the US hasn’t imposed any such restrictions, so we’re still breaking out in rashes stateside. Here’s how to limit your exposure to nickel without taking a permanent vacation across the pond:

  1. Go without baubles. Many inexpensive earrings, watch bands, buttons, glasses frames, and belt clasps are full of nickel, so you’ll want to make sure the stuff you sport is nickel-free. One fix: Make wearing only hypoallergenic jewelry a habit.
  2. Stop smoking. If you need another reason to drop the habit: There’s nickel in your cigs, which means smoking ups your nickel levels. 
  3. Dump your water. The first time you twist your tap in the morning, nickel-rich water is likely to come out, given that nickel is in many pipes and also occurs naturally in groundwater. Let your water run for a few seconds before filling a glass, and consider getting a water filter to remove the metal.   
  4. Scrutinize your makeup. This sneaky metal tends to lurk in eye shadows—particularly in shades of brown, according to the study—and mascaras. Opt for mineral makeup without iron-oxide pigments, or ask your makeup companies if their products contain nickel. 
  5. Adopt a low-nickel diet. Nickel occurs naturally in foods, and if you’re super sensitive to nickel (you’ll know by visiting your doctor for an allergy test), it may be helpful to avoid nickel-rich foods, such as fish, canned veggies and fruit, and chocolate.  More from Prevention: 5 Ways To Control Allergies