mercuric-chloride--ammoniated and Dermatitis--Contact

The results on thimerosal (Merthiolate) hypersensitivity of a retrospective study, together with the relevant data on thimerosal hypersensitivity referred to in the literature up to 1993, are presented. Positive patch test reactions to thimerosal (0.1% pet.) were observed in 32 (1.3%) of 2461 adult patients with suspected contact allergy examined in the period 1987-1992. 20 (0.8%) patients had a solitary positive patch test to thimerosal. The observed incidence is low. Clinical symptoms related to thimerosal hypersensitivity were observed in only 3 patients. The collected results are discussed with emphasis on the clinical implications of sensitization to thimerosal. It appears that a positive patch test to thimerosal is frequently clinically irrelevant.

Topics: Adult; Ammonia; Balsams; Dermatitis, Contact; Ethylenediamines; Eugenol; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Incidence; Irritants; Male; Mercuric Chloride; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Nickel; Patch Tests; Perfume; Phenylmercury Compounds; Retrospective Studies; Thimerosal

Putative allergens in, clinical manifestations of, and patch tests with traditional Chinese medicinal materials (CMM) causing contact dermatitis (CD) were studied. 14 patients with CMM CD and 351 controls were patch tested with the standard series of allergens of Beijing Medical University and the suspected drug, as is. It was found that most CMM CD was caused by the CMM frequently used topically for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. All patients patch tested with the suspected drug gave positive results. Some patients also reacted to fragrance mix, colophony, rubber mix and ammoniated mercury. The positivity rates of fragrance mix and colophony in CMM CD patients were significantly higher than in controls (55.6% versus 16.5% for fragrance mix, chi 2 = 11.86, p < 0.01; and 55.6% versus 5.1% for colophony, chi 2 = 29.35, p < 0.01), while not those of rubber mix and ammoniated mercury. Results indicated that the topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory CMM, especially those containing fragrance, may cause contact sensitization. Clinical findings in CMM CD included cutaneous irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, immediate contact reactions and systemic contact dermatitis. CMM CD can be diagnosed by patch testing the putative drug, as is.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Ammonia; Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Irritant; Drug Eruptions; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Male; Mercuric Chloride; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; Perfume; Resins, Plant; Rubber; Tars

A total of 507 (M 121, F 386) cases of facial dermatitis were investigated, of whom 308 (M 49, F 259) had eczema confined to the face. The prevalence of positive patch tests was 45% (229/507). Among all the patients, the 2 most frequent allergens were nickel (15.2%) and ammoniated mercury (6.1%), with the incidence of nickel sensitivity in men (20%) being greater than in women (13.7%). 56% of the nickel-positive cases were caused by metal spectacle frames. Taiwan's high number of spectacle-wearers, its subtropical climate and the characteristic oriental facial structure are possibly major contributing factors. Most ammoniated mercury (AM)-sensitive cases resulted from cosmetics. Skin-lightening creams are widely used in Taiwan, but their content is poorly controlled. According to consumer reports, 14.9% (48/322) had applied AM-containing cosmetics. Of all the cosmetics tested for mercury, 2.2% (60/2711) were positive.

Topics: Ammonia; Cosmetics; Dermatitis, Contact; Eyeglasses; Facial Dermatoses; Female; Humans; Male; Mercuric Chloride; Nickel; Ointment Bases