Nickel in Digital Devices Can Cause Serious Skin Allergies in Children: Study

Metallic surfaces and coverings of digital devices can cause serious skin reactions in children, warn health experts.

Recently, doctors found an 11-year old boy from San Diego developed an allergic reaction due to frequent contact with an iPad device. The nickel and metallic alloys used in the coverings of the devices trigger rashes, redness, irritation and conditions like dermatitis.

Experts at the University of California noted a rise in the incidence of skin allergies and dermatitis in children in recent times and these were attributed to the increasing popularity of digital devices. However, these conditions can be avoided by fixing digital devices like iPads and phones with rubber or plastic coverings.

The authors found majority of children are exposed to nickel based objects like clothing fasteners, ear piercings, video game controllers, toys and dental implants. Unlike other allergies, nickel rashes need extensive treatments with steroids and anti-biotics to reduce inflammation and irritation.

"Nickel allergy is one of the most common allergies seen in dermatology. It may cause acute reactions, with itching, crusting and redness, as well as a chronic dermatitis with scaling and redness. It's not surprising that increased nickel exposure is leading to an increase in nickel allergy in kids," said Gary Goldenberg is assistant professor of dermatology and pathology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, reports the Health Day News.

The pediatricians who attended the 11-year old patients said his rashes and itchy conditions persisted over six months and did not respond to common allergy creams and medicines. After thoroughly examining his condition, they traced the condition was triggered by daily using a 2010 model iPad. The experts are unsure if all gaming and digital devices contain nickel and allergy causing metals but they insist on installing form-fitted coverings to reduce the prevalence of allergic conditions among children, reports  Fox News.

More information is available online in the journal Pediatrics.