@article{ref1,
title="Chronic mercury poisoning following topical application of skin bleachers (author's transl)",
journal="Klinische wochenschrift",
year="1979",
author="Luderschmidt, C. and Plewig, G.",
volume="57",
number="6",
pages="293-298",
abstract="In two female patients chronic mercurialism following topical application of skin bleachers for the treatment of freckles was diagnosed. Over 20 to 25 years 3 to 10% mercurial ointments were applied twice daily. Recurrent attacks of headache, dyspnoea and abdominal colic-like cramps had lead repeatedly to emergency hospitalisations, multiple medical check-ups and surgical exploratory procedures. The diagnosis of mercurialism was made clinically because of a slate-grayish skin hyperpigmentation in the presence of freckles, and the drug-history. Metallic deposits in facial biopsies were demonstrated by electron microscopy. On admission 15.4 microgram% and 5.0 microgram % total Hg respectively were found in the two patients (normal values up to 2.0 microgram %). Following D-penicillamine treatment the mercury excretion via the urine could be elevated up to 25 microgram %. Neither the slate-gray facial discoloration nor the neurasthenic complaints were affected by this therapeutic trial. In one patient, a maculo-papular drug-induced skin rash to D-penicillamine developed. Persistent unsolved neurological complaints and cramp-like abdominal pains should remind that percutaneous mercury intoxication through intact skin following skin bleachers is still possible today.<p /><p>Language: de</p>",
language="de",
issn="0023-2173",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}