Cell phones cause rashes?

Now I've heard everything! Apparently all of that frequent cell phone use isn't fairing well for many people's skin. A group of U.K. doctors have determined some have an actual skin reaction to holding a cell phone to their faces. And the condition's name? Mobile phone dermatitis.

If you talk on the phone for a long period of time, you could end up experiencing an allergic reaction to the nickel in common handsets. The nickel is usually in the menu buttons, any logos, metal frames and other prominent areas. Unfortunately, these are often areas that come in direct contact with your ear and face.

In an advisory to doctors, the British Association of Dermatologists revealed today that common symptoms of mobile phone dermatitis include a rash or persistent itchiness of the ear or cheek area.

[via Gadget Lab at Wired]