Is Your Cell Phone Making You Sick?

Did you know that cell phones use lots of nickel? 

Do or have you had have a rash or flareups of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) on your hands, face, neck or other areas of the body that are commonly exposed to cell phones, it could be the nickel in the phone that causes the problem. That means you could have a cell phone allergy!

According to allergist  Luz Fonacier, MD, ACAAI Fellow., increased use of cell phones with unlimited usage plans has led to more prolonged exposure to the nickel in phones. Patients come in with dry, itchy patches on their cheeks, jaw lines and ears and have no idea what is causing their allergic reaction.

Nickel is not only used in inexpensive phones.  Expensive phones contain nickel as well.  So it doesn’t matter how much you paid for the phone, any cell phone could cause a cell phone allergy.

Now if you are not sure if your contact dermatitis is caused by nickel, your allergist can perform a patch test to confirm the diagnosis.  Use a land line to call your doctor if you want to reduce your nickel exposure! 

Contact dermatitis caused by nickel exposure usually starts as an itchy rash an can appear from just a few hours after exposure to the nickel. Maybe this will give you an excuse to keep your calls short.

In the past the most common suspects were usually cheap costume jewelry and jewelry inserted into piercings as well as belt buckles and button on pants.  Now it appears your cell phone could be a suspect as well!

If you have a nickel allergy that causes contact dermatitis, you should read this article published in Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology (Mobile Phone Dermatitis in Children and Adults: A Review of the Literature. RichardsonClare, HamannCarsten R., HamannDathan, and ThyssenJacob P.. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. doi:10.1089/ped.2013.0308)

Till next time

Cheryl

P.S. Allergy elimination is about eliminating the allergy-causing substance in your home the best you can. To learn more please click here to download your free copy of" You Can Do It! Allergy Free Living.