Doctors are being warned to be alert to
a new allergic skin disorder, caused by mobile phones, according to the
British Association of Dermatologists.
A new phenomenon called "mobile phone
dermatitis" has been discovered, in which people who spend long periods
of time on their mobile phone develop an allergic reaction to the
phone's nickel surface.
The problem was identified in several
published case reports of patients with unexplained rashes on their
face and ear. Closer investigation revealed that the reaction was
caused by nickel in the mobile phone handsets, where it is often found
in the casing or buttons, particularly in the most fashionable models.
Now the British Association of
Dermatologists is warning other doctors to be aware of the allergy,
which is thought to be on the increase. Because the condition has only
newly been identified, many cases may go unreported or untreated, which
has prompted the scientists to share their findings.
Nickel allergy is the most common
contact allergy in the UK and is thought to affect 30 percent of the
population, with a rising incidence.* Women have a higher risk of
developing mobile phone dermatitis, as they are more likely to have
been previously sensitised to the metal following an allergic reaction
to nickel-coated jewellery.
Dr Graham Lowe, from the British
Association of Dermatologists, said: "The allergy results from frequent
skin contact with nickel-containing objects. Prolonged or repetitive
contact with a nickel-containing phone is more likely to cause a skin
reaction in those who are allergic. If you have had a previous reaction
to a nickel-coated belt-buckle or jewellery, for example, you are at
greater risk of reacting to metal phones.
"In mobile phone dermatitis, the rash
would typically occur on the cheek or ear, depending on where the metal
part of the phone comes into contact with the skin. In theory it could
even occur on the fingers if you spend a lot of time texting on metal
menu buttons.
"It is worth doctors bearing this
condition in mind if they see a patient with a rash on the cheek or ear
that cannot otherwise be explained."
In
a study published earlier this year, doctors in the US tested for
nickel in 22 popular handsets from eight different manufacturers, and
found it present in ten of them.¹
Dr Lionel Bercovitch, one of the study's
authors from Brown University, Rhode Island, said: "Nearly half of the
phones we spot tested contained some free nickel. The menu buttons,
decorative logos on the headsets and the metallic frames around the
liquid crystal display (LCD) screens were the most common sites...
Those with the more fashionable designs often have metallic accents and
are more likely to contain free nickel in their casings.
"Given the widespread use of cell
phones, the presence of metal in the exterior casing of these phones
and the high prevalence of nickel sensitization in the population, it
is not surprising that cell phones can cause allergic contact
dermatitis."
Several other cases have been reported,
prompting the British Association of Dermatologists to share the
research with other doctors. The association is advising anyone who
develops a rash on their face which might be attributable to prolonged
mobile phone use to seek advice from their doctor.