vickishome wrote:
I feel your pain. I literally feel your pain. I've been enjoying Apple products since 1986 when I got my first Macintosh computer (512ke to be exact!). In these last 27 years, I have owned numerous Macs. I switched to the Mac laptops many years ago. I use my current MacBook Pro 15" every day, all day.
Several months ago I developed Dyshidrosis (also known as dyshidrotic eczema, pompholyx, podopompholyx, cheiropompholyx, acute vesiculobullous hand eczema, or just simply hand eczema). This condition causes small, itchy blisters on the hands (and sometimes also the feet). The skin becomes very thick and cracks. As soon as any of the blisters begin to clear up, several more reappear overnight. I experience a constant bombardment of blisters on the palms of my hands. Nothing over the counter or prescribed by a dermatologist has cleared up the problem.
One of the common triggers of dyshidrosis is an allergic reaction to nickel.
While I cannot be certain that I developed this condition after using my Mac laptops for so many years, the pattern of the breakouts on my hands match with my normal habit of where I rest my hands. My right hand is less affected than my left hand. I have noticed that my right hand is lifted up more often as I move around the keyboard and trackpad. During that time, my left hand palm is resting flat on the Mac's aluminum body.
To be honest, I cannot imagine not using my Mac so I'm going to do my best to cover all parts of it using one of the recommended products out there, such as possibly the InvisibleShield or BodyGuardz full body covers. I understand I must also cover my iPhone and iPad with full body protection.
I very much hope as the news of more and more people developing nickel allergies from the many electronic devices we use each day, Apple will offer products with bodies that do not contain nickel. It seemed like such a good idea at the time, but the long-term consequences are proving to do more harm than good.
I am writing to retract my earlier statement quoted above that I was experiencing an allergic reaction to my Apple products. In my original post, I stated that I had developed Dyshidrosis on both of my hands which I attributed, at the time, to my constant use of Apple products for three decades.
Now, 4 years later, I fully believe that my Dyshidrosis was completely unrelated to my use of Apple products (even though I remain addicted to my MBPs). I finally learned how to manage my dyshidrosis which I believe may have led to either a cure or at least remission of the condition. The entire time, I never once stopped or even slowed down my use of Apple products. I don't know what triggered the dyshidrosis; however, I no longer believe it was in any way related to my Apple products, including and especially my 15" MacBook Pros (mid-2010 and mid-2015 models).
I now believe it was merely coincidence. And it was easy to blame my Apple products since I use my MBPs almost all day, every day. While searching for a cause of my condition, it led me to consider possible allergic reactions to metals – and what metal came to mind instantly? Of course, the one that I used the most – my MBP. From there, it became easy to rationalize all kinds of ways that it was indeed the culprit (known as confirmation bias).
My current suggestion is to consider all possibilities. See a doctor, and if an allergic reaction is suspected, be tested to identify the specific allergen. Then, if it is factually true that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to something in an Apple product, you can take appropriate actions to protect yourself from ALL products with that allergen. Otherwise, you're just stabbing in the dark which may only serve to maintain ignorance to the real source and solution of the problem.
As far as Apple changing the materials used, I don't believe there is sufficient evidence that those materials are having a negative effect on a large enough number of people to merit changing it. Allergies are everywhere and can be caused by pretty much everything. We cannot change the world to avoid them all. Heck, one of the long loved staples for children's lunches has been peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—yet, some children are highly allergic to peanuts. Should all peanut products be taken off the market? Or should those with the allergy learn how to manage their allergy?
Therefore, anyone who claims to being allergic to any product without actual medical evidence is just guessing. And moreover, anyone who claims an allergy, but refuses to take their own personal steps to properly manage their condition, is being unreasonable. It is not the world's job (which includes Apple) to remove all allergens from the world. It is the individual's job to learn of their own personal allergic issues and how to manage them.
