Beware! Your smartphone can give you a skin rash

Are you addicted to your cell phone? You might turn allergic to it soon.

Shraddha Rupavate | Updated: September 25, 2014 2:27 pm

It’s quite evident that our generation is addicted to cell phones. Regardless of where you go or what you do, you’ll never forget to carry your beloved phone. Be it in a shopping mall or in a restroom, people can go on chatting over their mobile phones for hours together. But did you know that your addiction could make you allergic to your phone?

With increased use of mobile phones, there has been a rise in the number of adults and adolescents complaining about itchy skin rashes, scaly skin and burning sensation on their hands. After in-depth research and observational studies, it was inferred that these allergies were actually caused due to mobile phones and are termed as cell phone dermatitis.

What causes mobile phone allergy?

Cell phones are now available in a lot of fashionable models that have a metallic sheen to increase their aesthetic value. Such phones are more likely to contain allergens like nickel, chromium and cobalt. A study by Marcella Aquino and colleagues tested 72 cell phones for the presence of nickel and cobalt. According to the results, about 29.4 per cent of Blackberry models were tested positive for nickel, 90.5 per cent of flip phones were positive for nickel and about 52 per cent of flip phones had cobalt.

If case studies are to be considered, the most common allergen associated with cell phone dermatitis is nickel, which is responsible for causing an allergic reaction in up to 28 per cent of adults. Other agents like electromagnetic radiations can also trigger allergic reactions in a few cases.

What are the symptoms of a cell phone allergy?

Cell phone dermatitis initially starts with skin irritation. It mainly involves the cheek and ear (preauricular area), but depending on the habit of its usage, rashes could also develop on thighs (because of keeping phones in the pocket). An itchy rash that develops on the cheek and on the ears may indicate a typical nickel or chromium allergy. The duration of contact with the allergen is responsible for the severity of the allergic reaction. Prolonged contact can also lead to darkening of skin (hyperpigmentation) and scarring.

Can cell phone allergies be cured?

No. The best way to stay away from metal allergies is to avoid the allergen completely. Here are a few tips that can help you stay away from a cell phone allergy without sacrificing your phone:

Use a phone cover to prevent direct contact with metal used in the cell phone device
As far as possible, reduce the duration of your conversation
Use a hands-free device to further minimise direct contact
Use the speaker phone option whenever feasible
Avoid constant handling of mobile phone. Keep it aside when you’re not using it

References:

Jessica N. Moennich, Matthew Zirwas and Sharon E. Jacob. Nickel-Induced Facial Dermatitis: Adolescents Beware of the Cell Phone
Williams PJ1, King C, Arslanian V. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by a cell phone cover.
Marcella Aquino and colleagues. Mobile phones: Potential sources of nickel and cobalt exposure for metal allergic patients

You may also like to read:

For more articles on skincare, check out our skincare section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.

Published: March 25, 2014 6:46 pm | Updated:September 25, 2014 2:27 pm

Disclaimer: TheHealthSite.com does not guarantee any specific results as a result of the procedures mentioned here and the results may vary from person to person. The topics in these pages including text, graphics, videos and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and not to be substituted for professional medical advice.

5 home-made multani mitti face packs (Gallery)

Foods for strong and healthy hair (expert tips)

About The health Site

Useful Links

Email Subscription