Cellular Phone Dermatitis with Chromate Allergy

Abstract

Background: A patient with allergic contact dermatitis caused by hexavalent chromium plating on a cellular phone has already been reported. Objectives: This study described the clinical characteristics and results of patch tests in 8 patients with contact dermatitis possibly caused by handling a cellular phone. Patients: The 8 patients were 4 males and 4 females aged from 14 to 54 years. They each noticed skin eruptions after 9–25 days of using a cellular phone. All patients had erythema, and 7 had papules on the hemilateral auricle or in the preauricular region. Three of 8 patients had a history of metal allergy. Chromate, aluminium and acrylnitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer were used as plating on the cellular phones used by these patients. Methods: Closed patch tests and photopatch tests were performed using metal standard antigens. Results: The patch test was positive for 0.5, 0.1 and 0.05% potassium dichromate in all 8 patients. The photopatch test showed the same results. One patient was positive for 2% cobalt chloride and one for 5% nickel sulfate. Conclusion: It is important to consider the possibility of contact dermatitis due to a cellular phone, possibly caused by chromate, when the patients have erythema and papules on the hemilateral auricle or in the preauricular region.

Mobile Phones: Potential Sources of Nickel and Cobalt Exposure for Metal Allergic Patients

“…20 The clinical relevance of metal content in cell phones leading to contact dermatitis has been suggested by several case reports (Tables 1 and 2), with 24 cases attributable to nickel allergy and the remainder secondary to chromates. 5,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] The majority of these cases were characterized by pruritic, eczematous papules and plaques on the lateral cheeks and/ or preauricular area. The dermatitis typically presented unilaterally and in an irregular shape.…”

Erythema Ab Igne in the Palmar Area Induced by Smart Phone: Case Report

“…In these reports, it is emphasized that "the prolonged contact" induces the reaction, as the cell phone material reacts with human sweat to become a contact allergen causing contact dermatitis. [6][7][8] In our patient also "the prolonged contact" was the main reason which induces the erythema and pigmentation as well. It is reported that during prolonged use of mobile phones, individuals feel a burning sensation in their auricles which might be associated with warming of the device.…”

High Nickel Release from 1- and 2-Euro Coins: Are There Practical Implications?

“…Conversely, no measure was taken against chromate release by items in direct contact with the skin. Chromate allergic contact dermatitis of the auricle or the preauricular region has recently been described in patients using hexavalent chromium-plated cellular phones [7]. …”