Too much cellphone time may give you a rash CTV.ca News Staff Cellphone addicts, beware. Using your phone for long periods of time may cause a rash to develop on your face and ears, doctors warn. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has identified a skin disorder called mobile phone dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to a cellphone's nickel surface. The Association cited published case studies of patients who had unexplained rashes that were later linked to the nickel in phone buttons and casings. "Prolonged or repetitive contact with a nickel-containing phone is more likely to cause a skin reaction in those who are allergic," Dr. Graham Lowe of BAD said in a news release. "If you have had a previous reaction to a nickel-coated belt buckle or jewelry, for example, you are at greater risk of reacting to metal phones." The dermatologists believe the condition is on the rise and, because it has only recently been identified, may be under reported. They also warn that the rash may spread to phone users' fingers if they spend a lot of time using buttons for text messaging or surfing the web. "The more you talk on the phone, the more you sweat, the more the nickel leeches out," dermatologist Dr. Joel DeKoven told CTV News. U.S. researchers conducted a study earlier this year and found nickel in 10 of 22 phones from eight different manufacturers. The researchers, from Brown University, found nickel in the menu buttons, logos and the metallic frames around the display screens. "Given the widespread use of cellphones 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 cellphones cause allergic contact dermatitis," Dr. Lionel Bercovitch, one of the study's authors, said in a statement. Some of the cellphone models included in the study are no longer sold while other manufacturers told CTV News they are limiting or eliminating the use nickel in their products. Symptoms of dermatitis include a rash, flaking or itchy skin. Treatments include applying a topical steroid cream and avoiding contact with the allergen (in this case, nickel). "If you have an allergy to nickel in your phone the best option is to get a new phone," Toronto dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki-Grant told CTV News The British dermatologists advise anyone who develops a rash on their face to see a doctor or dermatologist right away. Comments are now closed for this story
Joee
Ok, cancer was bad...... but a rash.....this is just too much.
lepew
Too much use of any cell phone can cause a large phone bill.
M
I really think they are just looking for problems now.
Anne Ottawa
and using a cellphone while driving can cause death...cant wait for legislation in Ontario to prevent that. I just love waiting behind poky people going slow in the passing lane because they are talking on their cellphone. ....
RC of Toronto
Too much of everything is always bad. Too much texting can cause callous to the thumb too. :D
Ian Ottawa
Unless you are important enough to be contacted in an emergency why even have a cell? Kids (mine included) feel they have to be available 24/7 with there friends. Rash? Pain in the A_ _.
Andrea
It is not a proven fact, but I strongly believe cell phones are a major cause of brain tumours. I do not understand why people put themselves at risk to such a terrible possiblity ... let alone a simple skin rash.
Anne Ottawa
Andrea the scary thing is, that if it is true, because so many young people, ie 10 years old and up have cell phones now and use them fairly frequently, in about 10 years we will see an increase in brain tumours in the 20 ish, 30 ish popn. I hate to see young people being used as human guinea pigs though. I guess we will see.
Lisa
So much for the iphone users !! LOL Sale on skin cream coming soon ,, price will sky rocket now LOL
Wendy In Montreal
Call me old fashioned but I have never owned one, don't want one and I feel if people need to get hold of me they can leave a message on my landline which I will never give up. I laugh at people walking down the street or on the bus speaking on their cellphones. I just don't get it!
Ok, cancer was bad...... but a rash.....this is just too much.Too much use of any cell phone can cause a large phone bill.I really think they are just looking for problems now.and using a cellphone while driving can cause death...cant wait for legislation in Ontario to prevent that. I just love waiting behind poky people going slow in the passing lane because they are talking on their cellphone. ....Too much of everything is always bad. Too much texting can cause callous to the thumb too. :DUnless you are important enough to be contacted in an emergency why even have a cell? Kids (mine included) feel they have to be available 24/7 with there friends. Rash? Pain in the A_ _.It is not a proven fact, but I strongly believe cell phones are a major cause of brain tumours. I do not understand why people put themselves at risk to such a terrible possiblity ... let alone a simple skin rash.Andrea the scary thing is, that if it is true, because so many young people, ie 10 years old and up have cell phones now and use them fairly frequently, in about 10 years we will see an increase in brain tumours in the 20 ish, 30 ish popn. I hate to see young people being used as human guinea pigs though. I guess we will see.So much for the iphone users !! LOL Sale on skin cream coming soon ,, price will sky rocket now LOLCall me old fashioned but I have never owned one, don't want one and I feel if people need to get hold of me they can leave a message on my landline which I will never give up. I laugh at people walking down the street or on the bus speaking on their cellphones. I just don't get it!
A selection of cellular phones. 
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has released a report saying that an illness they named 'mobile phone dermatitis', in which individuals owning a cell phone have developed a rash on the side of their face, is likely linked to nickel deposits in the metal of some cellular phones. Nickel has been known to cause rashes on those who have a sensitivity to, or are allergic to the metal. Nickel is also mixed with other metals to make jewelry.

The Association says that the condition is likely to affect people who spend too much time talking on the phone. They found that those who spend too much time text messaging or talking for long periods on the phone, were most likely to develop a rash, sometimes severe, on their face and ears, or the tips of their fingers.

Tests in January, performed on 22 cellular phones by scientists at Brown University in Rhode Island located in the United States, had found that just under half, a total of 10, contained nickel while the rest had rubber buttons and a plastic case. Initially the rashes were unexplained, and researchers could not find a reason why so many individuals began to experience the symptoms. In most cases the rashes were untreatable. 

"Cell phones intended for rugged use ... often have rubber coating and no surface nickel. Those with more fashionable designs often have metallic accents and are more likely to contain free nickel in their casings," said Lionel Bercovitch MD., one of the researchers, in a report in the journal for the Canadian Medical Association on January 1, 2008.

Researchers also state that although some people may not be allergic to nickel, "prolonged" and continuous exposure to it can cause severe reactions.

"Prolonged or repetitive contact with a nickel-containing phone is more likely to cause a skin reaction in those who are allergic," said BAD dermatologist Dr. Graham Lowe in a press release. In the United Kingdom alone, BAD says nearly 30% of the population suffers from rashes brought on by prolonged exposure to the metal.

The researchers also recommend individuals to buy swab test kits to test for traces of nickel.