Nickel allergy and the iphone 6

The first thing you should probably do is go to your doctor and ascertain the exact nature of your problem. As I understand it, nickel allergies are most commonly contact allergies, meaning the reaction is on the skin where the nickel has touched it. Your shoulders and lower back seem unlikely to be places that the phone touches.

Use the Contact Us link at the bottom right of every page for information on how to contact Apple.

Best of luck.

Clearly something is causing you an allergic reaction, however it seems unlikely it's from nickel as there is no nickel on the outside of iPhones. The metal casing of all iPhone 6/6s is made of anodised aluminium (same as for the iPhone 5/5s). No nickel, no paint. There's some plastic covering the antenna lines at top and bottom of the rear of the casing but no nickel.

The fact that you are still having the problem after enclosing the phone in an external case would seem to settle it, it's not the aluminium shell of the iPhone that's the problem, it has to be something on the screen or some chemical outgassing from the phone's interior that you're reacting to (it's pretty common for people with allergies to be sensitive to more than just one thing). I believe Apple do use a chemical coating to reduce fingerprints/smudging on the glass screen of iPhones and iPads, maybe they're using one with a different composition for the 6? That might be what you are reacting to, it would likely get on your fingers as you tap on the screen and could explain your problem if you then transferred the chemical you your face, etc. by touch.

Really, as others have sensibly advised, you need to go see your doctor; it seems likely you are allergic to more than just nickel.

LoniLin wrote:

I had no reason to assume that they changed that to something less allergic friendly.

And you still don't know that they have. There are nickel test kits available, though I don't know how accurate they really are.

There are many, many causes of rashes. The fact that you're getting a rash on areas which you couldn't possibly have touched with your phone is one data point indicating the problem may not be the phone. That's why it's important to get a medical opinion. I'm not sure why getting an appointment with a doctor wouldn't be possible. But, at least rashes are generally not life threatening.

However, if you still believe the iPhone is the cause of your problem, it sounds as if you're still within the return period and you should take advantage of that. A phone, no matter how nice, doesn't seem worth living with a rash.

Even if the iPhone 6 shell does contain trace amounts of nickel (and I'd like to see the evidence for this) it cannot explain the OP's experience of still having a reaction after putting the phone in a case - nickel allergies are contact allergies, your skin has to touch the stuff to react (and usually for a sustained period). That's impossible for a phone that's shell is covered by a case (or for nickel in the mic which is inside the phone and will never come into contact with the user's skin). And I don't think you can trigger a nickel reaction by touching it and then touching other parts of your body with your fingers as she describes.

These symptoms indicate that some easily transferred chemical elsewhere on the phone is the culprit, and the oleophobic coating on the screen seems the most likely source -- it's pressed right up against your face when you talk on the phone and some of it may well come off on your fingers when you tap and swipe the screen. Hmm, I wonder. Maybe LoniLin should try using a screen protector film, that might help.

This looks like a serious problem for you. I certainly hope you find a safe and healthy resolution.

There are some iPhone cases that would completely eliminate the possibility of touching any part of the phone. One is the LifeProof Fre. it is a waterproof case styled well. There are probably other similar cases. Perhaps one of these would prevent the allergic reactions.

wvpowers wrote:

I'm not sure I've read any research on alloys used in phone manufacturing, at least in detail. The only thing Apple states is "anodized aluminum" which doesn't say much about the components. I have the same concerns about the Apple Watch and it's not just the metal alloys, I'm also allergic to the plastic that was used in the Fitbit bands that no one has adequately explained as of yet. I don't want to drop a bunch of money only to find out it's going to turn my arm red and kill my skin.

If you believe you have an allergy the only logical course is to see an allergist and determine what it is specifically that you are allergic to. While this thread is about nickel allergies, which are common, whatever reaction the posters to this thread have it isn't a nickel allergy, as there is no exposed nickel on an iPhone. there's no logical reason to use nickel; it's heavier and more expensive than aluminum. Other than Nickel metal allergies are exceedingly rare.

Anodized aluminum is simply aluminum that has a layer of aluminum oxide on it as a protectant.

Regarding the watch, the only way to find out is to buy one and try it. If you get a reaction to it then return it, as you would with any product that didn't meet your needs.

All the answers on here regarding general allergy issues are irrelevant, people who have allergies know triggers and don't need such advice.

I have had pretty bad allergies for years but was fine in the last 3 years until I bought my iPhone6.

I had instant allergic reactions on different parts of my body. Strange thing is that I am using it with an iPhone leather case.

Now I never had those issues before with an iPhone 5 or 4 so I am also thinking they must be using some chemical or material that people react to

and its not necessarily contact related since as I said I am using a heavy leather case? Maybe in the Glass?

Anyway I sold my iPhone6 and am going back to an iPhone5 , but this is something Apple seriously needs to look into.

I too have a dermatologist confirmed allergy to nickel. It would be very helpful if information was available from Apple on the exact materials used in their products. You should also look for chromate and cobalt as they often are with nickel and cause the same reaction. Nickel is my main concern, but I also have an allergy to chromium which is used in the tanning of leather. Maybe try a different case than leather. In my case, touching nickel anywhere on my body shows a reaction in my hands. Good luck to all of us as this is a serious allergy.

Just like the Apple Watch Sport there is a trace amount of nickel in the iPhone 6 shell and also in the microphone. For most people with nickel allergies this would not represent a problem but for highly sensitive people it could be an issue. They need to find a phone with a plastic shell.

I just got off the phone with Apple Support. They were very receptive to my complaints about metal allergies in IPhone 6. I would call them and share your story. Hopefully we can fix the problem for future Apple products so no one has to be allergic. They have a great team of support staff. We'll see what happens.

I went to a dermatologist who took a biopsy (note the black dot) and determined that I have a contact dermatitis to something that I put against my face. Guess what? It is completely gone now, but I can only talk on speaker phone or with my ear buds. The slightest touch to my cheek and it comes back. This thread has been helpful, as perhaps I will go back to the iPhone 5 or even try a different 6??? Thoughts?

I have never had any allergies before and I have used all the previous iPhones, iPads and Macbooks with no problems at all. As soon as I got my iPhone 6 (gold version) I started getting blisters on my fingertips where I was touching the phone. at first I thought it was the fact that I was holding the phone when it was getting very hot, but after coming across several other people complaining about similar issues with Apple products I'm starting to think it is nickel or something else in the iPhone 6 that is causing the issue. I did also buy a Magic Trackpad at the same time I bought my new phone so it may be something in the glass they are using. Does anyone know if Apple publishes a list of materials they use in different parts of the phone? It could also be some new product they are using at the factory to clean the surfaces before they ship them out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis

http://visionaforethought.wordpress.com/apple-product-allergy/

It could also be that the iPhone6 outgases chemicals, in particular when it is getting hot while you make a call.

e.g. if they have used a new chemical for the circuit board production or a new glue to stick components together inside.

Outgassing is a comon reason for fabric allergies, where chemicals from the production process are trapped in the fibre.

The coating doesn't come off, even in trace amounts. If it did it would be gone completely in a few weeks, leaving streaks behind.

The point is if you are having an allergic reaction to ANYTHING you should see an allergist. They are experts at diagnosing all kinds of allergies, unlike the wild guesses that have been posted here.

I have been experiencing terrible reactions to both IPhone 4 and IPhone 6... This is a very real problem. I've had blisters covering my palms and fingers, terrible itching, burning sensations, etc... After holding my phone too long, I need to run my hands under cold water to relieve the burning. Tiny blisters (the size of a pin point) form on my fingers, and then gradually grow outwards, breaking open my skin and causing me to bleed. All this, with a rubber case on my phone. This outrages me. Doctor's don't know what to tell me. I'm disgusted that Apple is putting out harmful products. I hope that they address this and change the metal alloy in the materials of the phone. I would be happy to pay more for a phone that didn't do this to me. Help!