Have a phone allergy? Itchy face and hands can be contact dermatitis

Aug 05, 2023

What could be worse than being allergic to chocolate you ask? How about an allergy to your cellphone?

Sounds ridiculous, but it's a thing.

Are your hands inexplicably itchy, red and/or swollen? Do you have a rash or blemishes on only one side of your face? The side you usually place your phone on when you answer or make calls?

According to experts, the nickel, chromium and cobalt used to make the cellphone may be irritating your skin.

It's not always the metals, though, sometimes it's the materials used to make the phone case or even other allergens, such as dog or cat dander and pollen, that have collected on your device.

Let's get to the heart of the matter.

Cellphone dermatitis, reported in adults and children, is when the skin gets flaky and may itch or burn or even swell during or after handling a cellphone.

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Some have reported swelling, redness, itching or blistering near the cheekbones, ears, jaw or hands.

There have been efforts to control the presence of allergen metals in phones, but many contain levels of metals including nickel, cobalt and chromium, known to cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Anyone who is allergic to the components used to build a cellphone.

The National Library of Medicine said cellphone dermatitis is "an emerging phenomenon, especially among young adults and adolescents."

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Dermatologists need to be aware that this is an "emerging phenomenon," especially among young adults and adolescents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 10% to 20% of the population is sensitive to nickel. Prolonged contact with nickel can increase your sensitivity to it.

In a study by the National Library of Medicine, 37 patients with cellphone dermatitis were tested. Some were found to be allergic to one of the metals used in their cellphones while others were allergic to more than one or all. One of the patients with cellphone dermatitis on her face stopped using her mobile and after 10 days her skin had cleared.

Physician Assistant Tamar Mermelstein, of Advanced Dermatology PC in Paramus, said symptoms of cellphone dermatitis range from mild redness, itching, swelling and even blistering The symptoms listed are most commonly seen in areas that one comes in contact with the mobile phone, such as the cheeks, ears, fingers, or hands. Dermatitis can also be seen on the chest, thighs, or anywhere you rest your phone, Mermelstein said.

She said it's also possible you may have an allergy to the cellphone case as some also are allergic to silicone.

Not using your cellphone is the best, but an unrealistic solution, experts say.

More realistic solutions include using wireless earbuds rather than placing the phone to the ear, covering the phone with a plastic film or switching to a different cellphone or cellphone case.

Talk to your doctor, but most of the rashes can be treated with a topical steroid cream or antihistamines.

A visit to your doctor or an allergist or dermatologist's office is a good idea. They can perform an allergy patch test, specifically the metal series. If it's not the metals, perhaps other allergens on the phone or phone case may be responsible.