Ever wonder why you get sores on your palms? If you are a gamer you might have a newly discovered skin disorder called PlayStation Palmar Hidradenitis (PPH). Yes, you read that right. A recent study has discovered that the sores were caused by "tight and continuous grasping of the console's hand-grips, and repeated pushing of the buttons, alongside sweating caused by the tension of the game". The cure? Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists recommended that "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". No kidding? I would have never thought of that. One other interesting piece of information from this study is that they consider these symptoms to be unusual stating that "for the disorder to only affect the hands is very unusual". This statement got me wondering what else they do with a controller . . .The list of video game inflicted disorders just keeps on growing. In addition of PlayStation Palmar Hidradenitis, there is also Wiitis (also known as Acute Tendonitis) and Video Game Addiction. Are video game inflicted disorders now becoming an epidemic? I don't think so but many different activist groups have taken this disorder and others as a serious problem and wish to impose health warnings similar to those you find on alcohol and tobacco products. This is opening a whole new can of worms for activists to use against the video game community. Coupled with the increase demand for video game violence laws, I'm starting to feel like a mutant trying to fight the "Mutant Registration Act". Where is Jean Grey when you need her?
Luckily for me, California (that's where I live), had its video game law struck down by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If passed, it would ban the sale and rental of "M" rated video games to minors and also implement a strict warning/rating system. It even went as far as to try and make "M" rated games equivalent to adult entertainment. That means, I would have to go to an "XXX" store to buy games like Oblivion, Assassin's Creed, Metal Gear Solid 4, and so many others (Just as a note, I don't even know where a shop like that is let alone been in one before). Though I agree that kids shouldn't be allowed to buy "M" rated games, I believe that it is really up to the parents to decide what is best for their children. Just like anyone can go in an buy "R" rated movies, explicit music, and even horribly graphic books - why should video games be any different. Again, this is government coming and deeming what is good for a person, something I take great offence to since those are my rights and mine alone.
So, is PPH and other video game related disorders a serious threat? I think most of us know when gaming too much becomes a hazard to our health. I am worried about the implications that this could have on the war to censor and control video games as a whole. I will definitely be keeping my eye on this and other topics and wait to see what the next video game law will look like.
As for PlayStation Palmar Hidradenitis, I see my dermatologist next week. So, I'm going to try and throw her a curve ball by mentioning that I think I have PPH and see what she has to say, lol. And if you have PPH and don't think you can handle taking a ten day break from your controller, here is something that might comfort your hands without irritating them even more.
