Mercury Exanthem

Abstract

Nine patients are reported, who had generalized rash in a day or two after breaking clinical thermometer or during dental treatment. They revealed similar skin manifestation suggestive of mercury exanthem at first glance, i. e. diffuse symmetrical erythema pronounced on major flexural areas. Inverted triangular or V-shaped erythema on upper anteromedial thighs was a common feature. Severer cases had miliary pustules on erythematous base. Pruritus or burning sensation was relatively mild. Pyrexia or malaise was complained by some of the patients. Seven of the patients had a previous history of contact dermatitis to mercurochrome, and by patch-testing all the patients were found to have contact allergy to several mercurials, especially inorganic ones. Until recently, mercurochrome had been most widely used as a topical disinfectant in Japan. This seems to be a cause of the high incidence of contact allergy to mercurials in this country. We think that our patients had developed systemic eczematous contact-type dermatitis by inhalation of mercury vapor. © 1982, Meeting of Osaka Dermatological Association. All rights reserved.