An 18-year-old girl presented with a red, scaly rash on her cheeks that had been scabbing over, peeling, and draining. She had had similar reactions to earrings and inexpensive jewelry. The appearance of the rash coincided with the use of a new cell phone.. Laboratory testing. An allergy to nickel on the cell phone was suspected. A dimethylglyoxime test (Allertest Ni) was performed in which 2 solutions were applied to a cotton swab that was then rubbed over the metal area of the phone. The swab turned pink, confirming the presence of nickel. Results of patch tests applied to the patients back showed a strong positive reaction to nickel.
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