title: Mercury-induced nummular dermatitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hyogo prefectural Kakogawa Hospital, Kakogawa, Japan. faadachi@dd.iij4u.or.jp
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ichihashi
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D003723:Dental Amalgam