iPads Linked To Nasty Nickel Allergy

DENVER (CBS) - Doctors across the country are starting to see more rashes related to iPads, and the problem may be nickel allergies.

Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

When people spend hours on their iPads, they could find themselves battling the itchy rash. The first generation iPads do contain nickel. However, nickel is found in many common items including jewelry, coins, zippers, cellphones and eyeglass frames.

Dr. Alan Arbuckle is a pediatric dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. He said most nickel rashes appear below a child's waistline and are caused by snaps on jeans or a belt buckle.

The rash can be very itchy.

"People can't sleep at night," Arbuckle said. "They're miserable."

Doctors say nickel allergies do appear on the rise with about 25 percent of children now testing positive for them versus 17 percent a decade ago.

The allergy can affect people of all ages and usually develops after repeated or prolonged exposure.

Treatments can help reduce the symptoms, but once a patient develops the allergy, he or she will always be sensitive to nickel.

Using a case can protect against contact with nickel in the iPad.

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Apple said its products meet the strict standards set for jewelry by the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission.