Gamers at risk from ‘Playstation rash’
26th February 2009
Deputy Leader, Cllr Tilsley and Annette King, Digital Birmingham Innovations Manager put the Wii to the test
Kids who spend ages on computer games can develop a nasty palm rash, doctors have found. The condition has been dubbed PlayStation palmar hidradenitis by medics, who blame hours spent gripping consoles allied to sweaty palms. Other medics report a tendon condition called Wii-itis among Wii players.
Is this not just the modern-day equivalent of bruised knuckles and fingers from playing conkers in the school playground; and that fact that approximately 10 days of rest restores those sweaty palms back to their original (perhaps not-so-sweaty) state … just another example of the ‘nanny-state’ to which we are all subliminally adhering to; and pandering to health and safety executives who would have us all wrapped up in cotton-wool and bubble-wrap if they had their way.
Particularly, as the condition is linked to a known ailment – ironically seen in the feet of youngsters who take proper physical exercise! Which begs the question: isn’t some exercise (whether it’s virtual or physical) better than no exercise at all?!
