Posing for the perfect snap is causing social media users to develop a painful nerve condition known as “selfie wrist”.
Dr Raj Ragoowansi, a consultant plastic surgeon based in London’s Harley Street, has noted a rise in youngsters with the condition, which he says is a form of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The ailment is caused by repeated inward flexing of the wrist to capture a perfect selfie, he explained.
He said: “The wrist holding the camera phone is in a flexed position.
"That is the most unfavourable position.
“The carpal tunnel is an unforgiving space in the wrist. If you keep on taking selfies, the blood supply of the nerve will be compromised.”
The syndrome can spark pins and needles in the fingers, hand or arm.
Treatment includes painkillers and hand therapy, but some of Dr Rag-oowansi’s patients have had injections or surgery to cut the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the nerve.
He said: “We are also seeing instances of ‘iPhone thumb’ which is pain, due to joint or tendon inflammation.”
The curse of selfie wrist has even afflicted model
and reality TV star Kim Kardashian , who admitted last year that she was no longer taking selfies because of the condition.
