Book Exogenous Dermatoses: Environmental Dermatitis Torkel Menné, M.D., Ph.D, is professor of Dermatology in Denmark. Howard I Maibach, M.D., is professor of Dermatology at the School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Both editors have published many scientific articles and books. CRC Press, 1991 From chapter 28: Mischievous Metals (Chromate, Cobalt, Nickel and Mercury) By Desmond Burrows, M.D., F.R.C.P. Consultant Dermatology, Dept. of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Page 344. I. We Should Worry about Mercury There are two problems with mercury-sensitization and toxicity. Sensitization is not a big problem and is now much lower than previously reported for three reasons: The percentages used to patch test with mercury in the past were often highly irritant concentrations with many false positives. It is used much less commonly in local applications than previously. Many patients who are allergic to thimerosal are not allergic to mercury, but to the nonmercury part of the molecule.

|| Close ||