When Mark Watson upgraded to a new iPhone 6 earlier this year, he was delighted with the larger screen and better camera. 

But within weeks, he was puzzled when a blotchy rash appeared on his left thigh and became painful and itchy as it spread. 

Initially the 37-year-old, who works as a retail manager, tried creams from the pharmacy.

But he was forced to visit his GP when the rash didn't clear and became lumpy.

There, he was astonished when he discovered he was allergic to the nickel in his new mobile phone - which had come into contact with his body while in his pocket. 

Today, Mr Watson, from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, still has the bright red mark - and diagnosis of nickel allergy.

He said:  'You just don't expect to be allergic to your phone.

'I have never in my life had an allergic reaction to nickel, and before this it was a metal I associated with cheap jewellery.

'I just think it's wrong that this could even happen.'

Mr Watson got the new iPhone 6 contract with Vodafone in late June - his fourth version of the phone.

Two weeks later he started to notice a red patch - but never dreamed it would be caused by his phone, which he always keeps in his front pocket.

When Mark Watson upgraded to a new iPhone 6 earlier this year, he was delighted with the larger screen and better camera. 

But within weeks, he was puzzled when a blotchy rash appeared on his left thigh and became painful and itchy as it spread. 

Initially the 37-year-old, who works as a retail manager, tried creams from the pharmacy.

But he was forced to visit his GP when the rash didn't clear and became lumpy.

There, he was astonished when he discovered he was allergic to the nickel in his new mobile phone - which had come into contact with his body while in his pocket. 

Today, Mr Watson, from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, still has the bright red mark - and diagnosis of nickel allergy.

He said:  'You just don't expect to be allergic to your phone.

'I have never in my life had an allergic reaction to nickel, and before this it was a metal I associated with cheap jewellery.

'I just think it's wrong that this could even happen.'

Mr Watson got the new iPhone 6 contract with Vodafone in late June - his fourth version of the phone.

Two weeks later he started to notice a red patch - but never dreamed it would be caused by his phone, which he always keeps in his front pocket.

His worried GP had no idea what had caused the rash and ordered blood tests, asking Mr Watson to think about any changes in his life which coincided with the blemish.

He suddenly remembered he had received his iPhone just weeks before it appeared, and searched on the internet where he found a forum about phone-related nickel allergies.

He contacted Apple and was told, he claims, that nickel allergy is a recognised issue for some iPhone users. The metal is found in the phone’s microphone.

Mr Watson is now calling on the company to make customers aware of the dangers of the rash-inducing devices.

'Now I don't take it out with me if I'm going to be out and about for long, and I have to put it in my desk at work,' he said.

'When I spoke to Apple I was told it's mentioned in the terms and conditions, but I don't believe it is.

'When I searched on the website for 'nickel' nothing came up. I think they need to address this.'

Last year a study was published in the US journal Pediatrics suggesting an increase in nickel allergies in children which could be due to laptops and phones, including the iPad.