Electronic devices could be making you itch
Evidence suggests that nickel allergies are becoming more common, and your iPad could be part of the problem.
Dr. Sharon Jacob, dermatologist at Rady Children's Hospital, told The Associated Press that data showed 25 percent of children who get tested for skin allergies are allergic to nickel, which is up from 17 percent just 10 years ago. Nickel is one of the most common metals to cause skin irritation, which isn't life threatening but can cause terrible itching.
Jacob treated an 11-year-old boy with a preexisting skin condition who found himself with a new rash that would not clear up with his usual treatment. The rash was so bad he couldn't go to school, and finally the doctors figured out he was allergic to nickel, which was traced to the coating of the iPad his family purchased in 2010. After he put it in a case, his condition improved.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Apple spokesman Chris Gaither had no comment on whether or not other Apple devices contain nickel. Jacob, whose report on the allergy is in Monday's Pediatrics, said that doctors need to consider personal electronic devices when patients come in with skin rashes.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Indonesia eyes the world stage
Under The Radar Joining Brics could give the Southeast Asian nation new leverage on the world stage
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Can Republicans navigate their narrow House majority?
In the Spotlight This isn't the first time that a party has had no margin for error
By David Faris Published
-
How does Inauguration Day work?
The Explainer Part Constitution, part tradition
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
California declares bird flu emergency
Speed Read The emergency came hours after the nation's first person with severe bird flu infection was hospitalized
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Bird flu one mutuation from human threat, study finds
Speed Read A Scripps Research Institute study found one genetic tweak of the virus could enable its spread among people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Dark chocolate tied to lower diabetes risk
Speed Read The findings were based on the diets of about 192,000 US adults over 34 years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
ACA opens 2025 enrollment, enters 2024 race
Speed Read Mike Johnson promises big changes to the Affordable Care Act if Trump wins the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
McDonald's sued over E. coli linked to burger
Speed Read The outbreak has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states and left one dead
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Texas dairy worker gets bird flu from infected cow
Speed Read The virus has been spreading among cattle in Texas, Kansas, Michigan and New Mexico
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Dengue hits the Americas hard and early
Speed Read Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic as dengue cases surge
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US bans final type of asbestos
Speed Read Exposure to asbestos causes about 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published