Updated on Friday, November 23, 2007, 00:00 IST

London, Nov 23: Experts have warned that the iPhone could be responsible for causing repetitive strain injury if used for long periods in cold weather.

They said that muscles get strained from the unusual finger movements needed to search its menus or text and cold worsens the situation.

The caution came after analysts predicted 500,000 of the gizmos would sell in the UK before Christmas.

"When you text or use the iPhone you use far smaller muscles in the hand, which can fatigue quicker," The Sun quoted Tim Hutchful, of the British Chiropractic Association, as saying.

He said the problem is particularly evident in winter as less blood reaches muscles so they are stiff

He added that RSI could spread to the arm and elbow if the 269 pounds gadget, which has a mobile, iPod, camera, and browser, is held at a right angle for texting.

Hutchful recommends users write short texts and keep their hands warm.

Apple refused to comment on the matter.

Bureau Report