Contact dermatitis to elemental mercury with distant lesion

Abstract

A clinical case of contact dermatitis following direct skin contact with elemental mercury is presented. Patient had metal mercury in contact with extensive part of his leg and foot skin resulting in erythematous, edematous, and vesicular dermatitis. Lesions evolved to erythematous plaques with small scattered areas of necrosis and drying vesicle lesions. Distant lesions appeared in the right forearm, chest and abdomen. Urinary mercury 36h after contact was 5.9 μg/L, and one week later 19.6 μg/L, indicating dermal absorption. Dermal effects due to elemental mercury must be expected after direct skin contact. ©2009 by Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia.