Mercury-induced nummular dermatitis.
We report 2 cases of relapsing nummular dermatitis according to mercury sensitivity, which was confirmed by patch testing. Removal of the amalgam from dental metal alloys markedly improved their skin eruptions. One of the patients, a dentist, experienced exacerbation of the eruptions on his lower legs after handling dental amalgam. Hypersensitivity to haptens such as metals is possibly involved in, at least in some patients, the pathogenesis of nummular dermatitis.
Adachi
A
A
Department of Dermatology, Hyogo prefectural Kakogawa Hospital, Kakogawa, Japan. faadachi@dd.iij4u.or.jp
Horikawa
T
T
Takashima
T
T
Ichihashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010328:Patch Tests; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D003723:Dental Amalgam