Two cases of cellular phone dermatitis

Abstract

In recent years, cellular phones have become one of lifes necessities. In proportion to the number of cellular phones in use, the number of reported cellular phone dermatitis cases has increased. Chromate and nickel sulfate are thought to be the allergen of cellular phone dermatitis, but direct qualitative analysis of cellular phones has not yet been carried out. We report 2 cases of cellular phone dermatitis which were suspected to be caused by a contact allergy to nickel. Patch tests were performed and showed a positive reaction to cobalt chloride and nickel sulfate. Direct qualitative analysis by a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analyzer of the cellular phones of the patients showed peaks for nickel and chrome.