Rash allergy through the iPad

Skin rash due to nickel traces in the iPad?

07/14/2014

Many people are allergic to nickel. In contact with the metal, they develop a so-called contact eczema, which appears as an itchy rash. As possible triggers so far were mainly jeans buttons, belt buckles and costume jewelry with nickel alloy known. But the iPad could possibly cause a corresponding allergic reaction, US physicians report in the magazine „Pediatrics“.

San Diego University Medical School physicians describe the case of an eleven-year-old boy who had to be hospitalized because of a massive rash. A nickel allergy was identified as the cause, but the question arose as to where the boy was exposed to a corresponding nickel exposure. The doctors around Sharon Jacob and Shehla Admani came to the suspicion that an iPad purchased in 2010 could be related to the child's complaints. In laboratory tests of the material have been detected part of the highly allergenic metal. Although it is not clear which of the iPad models with nickel components is to be expected, not only for known nickel allergy urgently the use of a protective cover.

Rash due to the iPad usage?
According to the US physicians, the eleven-year-old boy showed an itchy rash on the entire body that was a symptom of his nickel allergy. After the suspicion arose that a connection could possibly exist with the use of the iPad and this was therefore provided with a protective cover, the rash of the boy went according to the doctors clearly back. Thus, the assumption of dermatologists confirmed that there could be a connection between the nickel allergy and the use of the Apple tablet computer. According to information from the professional association of German dermatologists (BVDD), contact with nickel can be sensitized in the course of life, at the end of which the nickel allergy is at its peak. The proven nickel traces in the iPad are particularly critical.

Use of a protective cover is recommended
However, according to the researchers remains open to what extent the nickel components represent a general problem of all iPad models and if possibly other Apple products are affected. The company remains true to its philosophy of the past and does not comment. Apple spokesman Chris Gaither said there was no comment from Apple. A response to criticism, Apple seems fundamentally opposed. However, in view of the current results of the US doctors, users urgently recommend the use of a protective cover when using the iPad.

Ten percent of the children are sensitized to nickel
Nickel is known as one of the most common triggers of so-called contact allergies. This is attributed, inter alia, to the widespread use of the metal. Alloys of nickel are used in piercings, jewelry, coins, belt buckles and numerous everyday objects. The excessive contact with the metal is also critical due to the sensitization already described. Sweat can be used to remove nickel ions from the alloys, which then penetrate the horny layer of the skin. These may cause an allergic reaction in the form of contact dermatitis, with symptoms such as redness, blows, blisters, dandruff and severe itching. If contact with the metal is prevented, these symptoms, which are also referred to as nickel dermatitis, generally return in a timely manner. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) are in Germany „about 10% of all children are sensitized to nickel.“ Although the EU's allergenic potential for special children's products, such as children's toys, has set relatively strict limits, these are not valid for tablet computers like the iPad, although they are often used by children. (Fp)