An allergic reaction from a piece of technology like an iPad may seem like a ridiculous notion, but a recent report from the Pediatrics medial journal has linked Apple's popular tablet to certain rashes found in children.

The article looks at a case of an itchy body rash on an 11-year-old's skin, which is diagnosed by a dermatologist as allergic contact dermatitis caused by exposure to nickel. The doctors looked into possible sources of nickel exposure, before landing on the iPad that the child used on a daily basis. Tests discovered that nickel was found in the outer case of the tablet.

After the child put his iPad in a protective case, the rash on his body subsided. Nickel allergies are one of the more common types, with data showing around 25% of children who get tested for allergies are found to be allergic to the metal, up from 17% a decade ago.

The rear of most iPad models is constructed from an aluminium alloy which evidently is part-nickel. Although Apple products adhere to strict standards set by the US Consumer Safety Product Commission, as noted in a statement from the company relating to this issue, it's still possible for a product's build to cause an allergic reaction in a small part of the population.

The iPad likely isn't alone in its use of nickel: other products with metal cases or bodies could be produced in-part using nickel, so if you are allergic to the metal or experience rashes using these products, think about getting yourself a case (and proper medical advice).