The disorder is said to be caused by an allergic reaction to nickel in a phone's casing or buttons, and some patients have developed rashes on their faces as a direct cause of mobile phone use.
"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," said Dr Graham Lowe of the BAD.
"In theory it could even occur on the fingers if you spend a lot of time texting on metal menu buttons."
The allergy is thought be on the increase as more fashionable handsets have generally higher nickel content, according to the BAD.
Nickel allergy is the most common type of allergy in the UK, affecting nearly a third of the population, the BAD said.
Mobiles causing rash of skin problems
By
Rosalie Marshall
on Oct 17, 2008 7:10AM
Mobile phones are causing an allergic skin disorder in some users, and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is calling on doctors to watch out for symptoms in their patients.
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