Turns out that some gadgets can cause more than just declining social skills. If you have an unexplained rash, your iPad may be to blame. As it turns out, the king of tablets may contain nickel, one of the most common allergy-inducing metals. This conclusion has been drawn after a report detailing an 11-year-old boys’ unexplained contact dermatitis.
After doctors noticed that the boy had been using a first generation iPad, they ran tests that concluded the device was positive for nickel. They urged him to use a case for the iPad to limit exposure and the boy significantly improved. Although nickel rashes aren’t life threatening, they can be very uncomfortable.
Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash that commonly results in scaly patches. Due to the condition of the rash, the boy had to miss school. The rash that was all over his body didn’t respond to usual treatment, and the doctors traced in back to the iPad the family purchased in 2010.
Don’t start freaking out just yet. Just because the first generation device has traces of nickel doesn’t mean that all the devices do. However, we can’t be uncertain at this point. Just in case you’re a hypochondriac, the answer is simple: buy a case for your gadgets.
[via USA Today]
