Mercury-Cadmium Sensitivity in Tattoos

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Allergic reactions to tattoo pigments are infrequently seen. Previous investigators reporting reactions to red tattoo pigment (mercuric sulfide) claim mercury containing ointments or immunization agents containing mercury preservatives as inciting factors. A two-year study of 15 servicemen is presented. The subjects had either nocular or verrucous reactions sharply limited to red tattoos. Immunizations and occupational factors, as well as topical mercury preparations were not related to the development of the somewhat bizarre tattoo patterns. Each subject noted pruritus and subsequent nodular or wart-like formations after sun exposure. The duration of the tattoo prior to the symptoms ranged from 2 weeks to 17 years''. Avoidance of direct sunlight or the use of sunscreen protective ointments reduced the lesions in several subjects. Patch tests were positive to several mercurial preparations in some subjects. Biopsies of the skin lesions indicated a sarcoid-like reaction in 4 out of 8 biopsies examined. The general health was not impaired and all chest X-rays were normal. Photographs of representative tattoos and animal experiments are presented. Reproduction of the clinical lesions and a sarcoid-like response was accomplished in hairless mice tattooed with commercial "red" tattoo pigment only after sun exposure. Trace amounts of cadmium sulfide were found in skin biopsies, hence the photoallergic reaction in red sites. Dermabrasions were required to remove the red pigment in several subjects.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: