Level 1

8 points

Nickel allergy and the iphone 6

I have had an iphone 5 for 2 years and never had any problems with it. Most of the time I had it savely tucked in a case, but especially the first weeks I had used it a lot bare handed and without any protection. While I have been diagnosed with a nickel allergy for years and develop easily rash when exposed to nickel I never had a problem with my black iphone 5.

About a week ago i received my new iphone 6. Space grey, because there isnt a black one. The first evening I used the device naked. Aware of my clumsyness and the fact that I dont really like the feel of the new material I bought a flip case the next morning. When I looked into the mirror I saw that I was developing eczemes in the face (eyes, forehead, ears and chin), on my lower arms and around the shoulders/lower back. All places I touch regulary and often. At first I thought it might not be a big deal, maybe I ate something bad and itll go away. However, the rash is getting worse and worse and while I was trying too figure out what it could cause (using my iphone to search the web) when it suddenly occured to me. I had heard that Ipads can cause such reactions, but since I never had problems with the old phones so I didnt consider it. After all, I am using a case which covers the back of the iphone and the sides.

Apparently my love for apples latest product is pretty much one sided. I am certain that I cant be the only one here with a nickel allergy. Could it be that the space grey colour was a bad choice and the silver/golden one would have been better since they have less nickel in their paint? Where can I contact apple to make them aware of the problem? Would it be possible to exchange my space grey iphone for another colour if those are less

I am a huge fan of the apple watch too, up to now I hoped that nickel wouldnt be an issue there, apparently apple still doesnt consider one of the most common allergies on the world and doesnt produce allergy friendly products. :/

iPhone 6, iOS 8.1.1

Posted on Nov 21, 2014 9:22 PM

Top-ranking reply

IdrisSeabright

Level 10

185,981 points

Posted on Nov 21, 2014 9:38 PM

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.

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46 replies

BORg529

Level 4

3,070 points

Nov 22, 2014 9:05 AM in response to LoniLin

Like some one posted. You really should get checked out with your doctor and find out cause of rashes, maybe around your home. I do not know your location, maybe poison ivy, etc.😮

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Jun 25, 2015 2:23 AM in response to David Shanahan

People also have allergies to various plastics and resins. Regardless, if I had a problem related to this, I'd contact a doctor, rather than an online technical forum.

mdzareas

Level 1

9 points

Aug 16, 2017 8:07 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Definitely have patch testing done by a dermatologist. Even if you have done this quite some time ago, you could have developed more contact allergies since then. Minimize your contact with nickel. Put cases on your technology and wear gloves to do so. You can Google all kinds of information regarding CAD. I eliminated 90% of stainless steal, sterling silver, and nickel from my home. You can Google lists, etc. Fragrance and cleaning products can be a massive source of nickel. ie. Perfume, cologne and room sprays such as Fabreeze. Also, if you are finding that you are chemically sensitive and developing sensitivities to food, the nickel sensitivity could be systemic. You could go on a low nickel and low histamine diet under the supervision of your doctor, as it can incite incredible chronic fatigue. This would be temporary in order to get the body to calm down. Then you would reintroduce these foods back into your diet in moderation, and avoid the biggest offenders on a daily basis. Btw, COCONUT OIL should be labeled TOXIC to humans due to its outrageous nickel content. My body started calming down when I went on a low histamine diet, and stopped lathering in coconut oil. I was still highly sensitive, but not nearly as sensitive as I had been. This sensitivity made me debilitatingly ill for approximately 8 months, legit. After patch testing, I was prescribed a low nickel diet (month 5), as well. My natural doctor put me on an intermittent detox supplement which helped carry nickel out of the body. Adding buffered vitamin C tablets to meals which contain a higher nickel content assist in carrying nickel out of the body, as well. Unfortunately, I was poisoning my body with a largely vegan and whole food diet. My case is highly complex, as I have a contact allergy with bacitran and certain preservatives, as well. I was also diagnosed with SIBO, which plays a prevalent role in reactivity and inflammation of the body. My point is, you could have additional health issues which could be driving an immune response. Below are some helpful links.

http://nickelfoodallergy.com/natural-skin-products-loaded-with-nickel/

https://itchylittleworld.com/your-nickel-rash-could-mean-systemic-nickel-allergy -syndrome/

https://nonickel.com/pages/the-nickel-allergy-diet

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923958/

http://www.pennstatehershey.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=0888ec6e-3d2f-4 766-833e-b38bd920ffcd&groupId=102184

http://dietgrail.com/nickel-in-food/

http://nickelfoodallergy.com/low-nickel-grocery-shopping-tips/

http://www.glutenfreeveganmom.com/2013/03/22/nickel-allergy-eczema-trigger-

flareups-food-money-cell-phones-jewelry-test/

http://nickelfoodallergy.com/foods-with-nickel/

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-eczema-scars.ht ml

https://www.purenature24.com/cutlery-set-nickel-free

http://whatallergy.com/2011-07/nickel-allergy

http://www.naturallynickelfree.com/NaturallyNickelFree-handmade_jewelry_for_sens itive_skin/Metals_Info.html

https://nonickel.com/pages/items-that-commonly-contain-nickel

https://allergicliving.com/2016/01/29/nickel-allergy-a-rash-on-the-digital-age/

https://www.rei.com/product/108191/humangear-gobites-trio-utensil-set?CAWELAID=1 20217890002808208&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=157…

The Gobites BPA free plastic eating utensils are AMAZING!

I hope this helps, best of luck and get better ASAP!

LoniLin Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 21, 2014 11:16 PM in response to petermac87

Except for soap, shampoo and bodylotion I am not using any other cosmetic products (no make up etc.) and those products are the same as before i received the phone. If they had caused it the reaction would have shown earlier.

I have succesfully used the iphone 5 for years without any problems, as such I had no reason to assume that the iphone 6 would cause an allergic reaction. I could have checked for the metal the phone is made of but that information wont help since apple doesnt list what alloy they use. (At least I couldnt findany information regarding this.)

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

LoniLin Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 26, 2014 11:26 AM in response to edward283

Apple had problems with Nickel allergies before, there have been cases where rashes were caused by their products. This is not entirely new. The heat definitely may be an important factor in this, as heated metal tends release more nickel and therefore is more aggressive, specially in connection with sweat.

I got into contact with their support team and they were extremely helpful. They told me, that the case of the iphone 6 is the same as it's successor, the iphone 5.* I had a call with the support of my country (before I had just chat-support) and reported the issue there. I did mention thatI didnt have any problems with that model, and I also tested it (putting it on my bare skin and such): No reaction. However, while MY model didn't show any traces of nickel, others did. During my journey through the web related to this issue I found the following link:

http://nonickel.com/blogs/nickel-allergy-news/14852553-does-your-iphone-or-ipad- have-nickel-in-them-test-to-find-out

The woman on the phone suggested me to use my phone with a case only, and apply a screen protection too -- not to protect the mobile phone but rather to protect myself from it. (Which I did day 2 after receiving it.) If both doesn't help, she told me I should return the iphone 6.

Apparently, the iphone 5 also contained traces of nickel. Not every model does (apparently) but some do. The nickel allergy reaction is a problem, and it's important that apple knows about it. In the past they claimed that "it's a rare case" and happens so seldom that it's not an issue. The more people report it, the more is apple is forced to look for the source of the problem -- wherever it might lay.

If you suffer from any reaction, report it to them they are really helpful.

LoniLin Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 21, 2014 9:54 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Im not using the phone for calls, just browsing internet and writing sms. My hands are permanently in contact with the side of the phone and transport the nickel easily to my face etc. Like when u scratch your back/shoulder. its worst around the nose/eyes (wearing plastic glasses so i touch there regulary adjust their position). I also dont wear any jewellery And avoid metal contact in general.

When i call someone i use headphones. :/ getting an appointment at the doctor especially around this time of the year wont be possible, and would most likely result in the doctor telling me not to use my phone for a month to see if it disappears (right, as if i could do that).

do you think that an apple authorized service provider could help me with this matter too?

petermac87

Level 5

7,453 points

Nov 21, 2014 10:58 PM in response to LoniLin

LoniLin wrote:

do you think that an apple authorized service provider could help me with this matter too?

No. It is a medical condition. And given your condition you would have been wise to check on what metals are in a device before you bought it.

Cheers

Pete

petermac87

Level 5

7,453 points

Nov 27, 2014 9:22 PM in response to LoniLin

If it is severe enough then you should sell it and buy a phone you are not allergic to. Simple. Sorry, but no one can come around and remove the nickel from the phone. Do some proper research on different model phones to avoid your allergy.

Best Of Luck

Pete

wvpowers

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2015 9:08 AM in response to petermac87

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.

wvpowers

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2015 10:30 AM in response to petermac87

I'm not sure I understand your reply. My point was, there is no way to "research" the phone to see if it's going to cause an allergic response. Apple is notoriously secretive about everything, they won't reveal components so I sincerely doubt they'll release anything about what the components are made of, making the comment of "Do some proper research on different model phones to avoid your allergy" not applicable.

May 24, 2015 3:31 PM in response to carl wolf

If you try holding an iPhone to your ear the edge of the case can easily touch your cheek next to your eye. While I think an aluminum allergy is highly unlikely, we don't know what kind of case sherine36 has on the phone. The case be the actual cause, especially if the case has any latex in it. Latex allergies can be very severe.

Mar 18, 2016 1:16 PM in response to EJD2016

EJD2016 wrote:

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!

It sounds like you have a rubber allergy. As these can be very serious I strongly suggest seeing an allergist.

BORg529

Level 4

3,070 points

Nov 21, 2014 10:53 PM in response to LoniLin

Try to get second opinion of what's going on. Maybe some cosmetic products, like AVON?😮

BORg529

Level 4

3,070 points

Nov 27, 2014 12:11 PM in response to LoniLin

I'm stating the obvious, but aren't iPhones made in China? They may have cheap labor, and poor environmental controls, etc.😉

Nov 27, 2014 12:16 PM in response to LoniLin

No, they don't. All they have to do is conform to the rules & regulations for the country of sale.

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Nickel allergy and the iphone 6