Mercury allergy in a contact dermatitis clinic in Northern Ireland

Abstract

441 consecutive patients (294 female, 147 male) with suspected contact dermatitis were patch tested to the European standard series, mercury metal (1% pet), ammoniated mercury (1% pet.), and mercuric chloride (0.1% aq.). 14 patients (3.2%), 12 of whom were female, showed a positive response to 1 or more mercury compounds; none reacted to mercuric chloride alone. Primary sensitization was most likely due to either inoculation with vaccines containing merthiolate preservatives or amalgam dental restorations. Mercury allergy was of historical clinical relevance in only 2 patients, both women who developed gingivostomatitis following insertion of amalgam dental fillings. 1 of these women subsequently developed allergic contact dermatitis from contact lens solutions, shampoos and cosmetics which contained mercury preservatives. On the basis of these findings, we recommend patch testing with both metallic mercury and ammoniated mercury in patients with suspected mercury allergy.

Phase 1 Study of an Inactivated Vaccine against American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Normal Volunteers in Brazil

“…Frequency of pain in the placebo group, which was higher when the merthiolated saline was used (in the same concentration as that employed in the vaccine), merely indicates the occurrence of non-specific side effects that can be associated with Thiomersal. This dilutant, used in domestic and professional routine as a topical antiseptic and also included in numerous other vaccines, has been implicated in reactions of an allergic nature (Mallory 1987), and there have even been suggestions that it be removed from the composition of routine vaccines (Scarpa et al 1992, De La Quadra 1993, Handley et al 1993). Pain at the site of application, associated significantly with injections of vaccine, was mild in nature and did not interfere with the volunteers' normal activities, even those requiring physical effort.…”

Psychological, Allergic, and Toxicological Aspects of Patients with Amalgam-Related Complaints

“…An ‘amalgam allergy’ in the sense of a type VI sensitization according to Coombs and Gell [8]is diagnosed if a chronological or topographic correlation exists between symptoms such as lichenoid lesions of the oral mucosa or contact stomatitis and the application of amalgam fillings [9]. This can be proven only in a minority of patients with amalgam-related complaints [10]. Some findings indicate that a hypersensibility to mercury could play a role in the etiopathology of lichen planus [11].…”

Current understanding of Baboon syndrome

“…In some drug-related BS cases, patch test was performed in lesional skin as well [17,45,101,103], and was reported to be positive with pseudoephedrine in one patient [103]. Patch testing with both metallic mercury and ammoniated mercury is recommended for patients with suspected mercury allergy [113]. Mercury compounds should not be tested in aluminum test chambers in order to avoid severe irritant skin reactions that would result from chemical reaction between aluminum and mercuric chloride [114].…”