Digital screens such as phones, tablets and televisions are used by people of all ages. Excessive use of digital screens causes addiction in people. Especially during the pandemic period, addiction to digital screens has increased. Overused digital screens threaten health in many ways. prof. Dr. Feyzullah Çetinkaya said, “Especially, patients may experience redness, itching, dryness, swelling, cracking, flaking, and leakage and crusting in advanced stages due to nickel-containing phones and tablets that come into contact with the hands and face for a long time.”
WHY MOBILE PHONES CAUSE ALLERGIES
Drawing attention to the nickel-related allergy that technology has brought into our lives, Prof. Dr. Feyzullah Çetinkaya made the following statement: “In recent years, an important health problem that can be seen due to smartphones and tablet computers has started to draw attention. We observe allergic contact dermatitis due to the nickel used in the manufacture of these devices. In particular, serious reactions may occur due to nickel-containing phones and tablets that come into contact with the hands and face for a long time. This type of dermatitis, which has emerged in recent years, is called “mobile phone dermatitis”. Less than nickel, cobalt can also cause allergic contact dermatitis from mobile phones.”
MANY FREQUENTLY USED TOOLS AND DEVICES CAUSE ALLERGY
Mentioning that nickel is in our lives more than we think, Çetinkaya said, “Menu buttons, decorative logos and metallic frames around the liquid crystal display (LCD) on tablet computers and mobile phones are the places where nickel is most common. Unfortunately, nickel is also found in many gadgets and devices (such as jewellery, belt buckles, zippers, buttons, snaps, glasses, coins and keys) that people frequently encounter in daily life, as well as phones and tablet computers.
USE GLOVES IF NECESSARY
Stating that in patients with nickel-related allergic contact dermatitis, redness, itching, dryness, swelling, cracking, flaking, and leakage and crusting in the body areas where contact is intense, Çetinkaya said that in order to prevent allergic contact dermatitis due to mobile phones, sensitive individuals and children can use such devices. He suggested that little contact be made. prof. Dr. Çetinkaya said, “We recommend using gloves if necessary and using moisturizing creams and lotions on hands frequently. When there are such indications, it is necessary to consult a doctor,” he said.