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Mobile phones users are developing rashes on their faces and ears caused by an allergic reaction to the nickel on handsets, UK skin dermatologists experts warn. The British Association of Dermatologists has interpeted studies on itchy, cheek-reddening eruptions which have been dubbed “Mobile Phone Dermatitis”. The cause? Nickel allergy. Phones which contain nickel in their faceplates or buttons could cause rashes to develop in sensitive-skinned people. “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,” it said.

The British group said many doctors were unaware mobile phones could cause the condition. Safety concerns over mobile phones has grown as more people rely on them for everyday communication, although the evidence to date has given the technology a clean bill of health when it comes to serious conditions like brain cancer.
“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,” the group said in a statement. “In theory it could even occur on the fingers if you spend a lot of time texting on metal menu buttons.”

Earlier this year a team led by Dr. Lionel Bercovitch, Department of Dermatology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island, tested 22 popular handsets from eight different manufacturers and found nickel in 10 of the devices. His patient had a rash, switched to a phone without nickel in the device (relieving the issue), and switched back, with a subsequent recurrence.
“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 can cause allergic contact dermatitis,” Bercovitch said.
Menu buttons, decorative logos on headsets and the metallic frames around a phone’s screen were the most common places where nickel was found.
“Those with the more fashionable designs often have metallic accents and are more likely to contain free nickel in their casings,” Bercovitch added.

“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 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.”
A Bluetooth headset won’t fix a finger rash, but a keyless phone like the LG Dare or iPhone … now that would.

Symptoms of dermatitis include a rash, flaking or itchy skin. Treatments include avoiding contact with the allergen (in this case, nickel) and, in some cases, applying a topical steroid cream. The British dermatologists advise anyone who develops a rash on their face to see a doctor or dermatologist right away.