Especially those containing nickel

Oct 17, 2008 08:16 GMT  ·  By

A recent study by the British Association of Dermatologists has recently identified an allergic skin condition that it named “mobile phone dermatitis.” According to the study, the frequent use of the phone, besides running up users bill, can cause a rash to break out on the zones where the device comes into contact with the skin. This happens because an allergic reaction occurs when users’ skin comes into contact with the phone's nickel surface, as is the case with cell castings and buttons.

"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 jewelry, for example, you are at greater risk of reacting to metal phones,” said Dr Graham Lowe, from the British Association of Dermatologists.

"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." the research further explains.

According to studies made by Dr. Lionel Bercovitch from the Brown University in Rhode Island, half of the phones they analyzed contained nickel. The test was made on 22 popular handset models from eight different manufacturers. Nickel was found in ten of them, especially in the menu buttons, decorative logos on the headsets, but also on the metallic frames around the display.

Here is the list of the models that contain nickel in the headset, according to the study: Motorola L2, Motorola Rzr, Motorola SLVR and Motorola Q. The following models contain nickel elsewhere: BlackBerry 8700c, speakerphone, on the back of the phone; Samsung e150, metal around the screen and menu button; Samsung d807, menu button; Sony Ericsson W600i, menu button; Sony Ericsson W810i, menu button; and Sony Ericsson T610, only if the paint is chipped.