Allergic contact dermatitis and mercury exanthem due to mercury chloride in plastic boots.
We report a 5-year-old child with previous skin intolerance from Mercurochrome (merbromin), who developed a severe allergic contact dermatitis of both feet when wearing new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) boots. Within a few days, he developed a mercury exanthem involving both legs, groins and lateral parts of the trunk. Patch tests showed strong reactions to organic and inorganic mercury compounds, in particular to mercury chloride (mercury chloride; HgCl2), 0.01% pet., which was identified by atomic absorption spectrometry and polarography in the boots worn. New hidden sources of mercury in consumer goods may represent a potential source of danger for the future, if its use is not more strictly regulated.
Koch
P
P
Department of Dermatology, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg.
Nickolaus
G
G
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008622:Merbromin / Q000009:adverse effects; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D011048:Polarography; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D012775:Shoes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013909:Thorax
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D008628:Mercury; D008622:Merbromin