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Gamers, Beware This Skin Disorder

Console controller linked to painful hand sores

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 24, 2009 5:48 PM CST

(Newser) – Dedicated gamers beware—researchers have identified a skin disorder just for you, the BBC reports. “PlayStation palmar hidradenitis” is characterized by painful lumpy sores on the palms. British researchers think it's caused by gripping the controller tightly with sweaty hands for extended periods. Good news, though: Symptoms appear to clear up—if gamers can go cold turkey for a while.

Scientists writing in the British Journal of Dermatology describe the case of a 12-year-old girl who checked into a Swiss hospital with the sores after playing a game for several hours a day. She recovered after a 10-day break. "We do not wish to belittle this research and will study the findings with interest," said Sony, the maker of PlayStation. "This is the first time we have ever heard of a complaint of this nature."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Playstation 3 (Flickr)

The PlayStation 3 controller. (Flickr)

This screen grab released by Sony shows a scene from "Killzone 2" where Helghan, the setting of “Killzone 2” has devoted all its resources to fighting wars against other planets. (AP Photo/Sony)

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If you're worried about soreness on your hands when playing a games console, it might be sensible to give your hands a break from time to time, and don't play excessively if your hands are prone to sweating. - Nina Goad, British dermatologist

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Gamers, Beware This Skin Disorder