Clinical relevance of contact allergy to gold sodium thiosulfate.

BACKGROUND

In our routinely patch tested patients with dermatitis gold was shown to be the second most common sensitizer. In most patients it was difficult to explain the source of sensitization to gold and to see any clinical relevance.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to elucidate the clinical relevance of contact allergy to gold sodium thiosulfate.

METHODS

A questionnaire on gold exposure and gold sensitivity was answered by 156 consecutive patients with dermatitis. In another group of 1056 routinely tested patients data were collected and analyzed regarding factors such as profession, atopy, localization of the dermatitis, and presence of contact allergies.

RESULTS

Gold allergy was overrepresented in those having dental gold. In persons with contact allergy to gold a dermatitis on the ears, fingers, or eye area was most frequent.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to gold jewelry and to dental gold may be important in the sensitization and elicitation of dermatitis.