PATCH TEST REACTIONS TO MERTHIOLATE IN HEALTHY YOUNG SUBJECTS

Abstract

A high incidence of positive patch tests to merthiolate (thimerosal) has been observed in young adult males without previous or present skin disease. In battery-tested clinical material several positive merthiolate tests occurred, mainly in the younger age groups, while a high-age group did not react even to a strong merthiolate patch test. Although the clinical and histological features of the reaction are mainly of an allergic type, evidence is presented that the merthiolate reaction should be considered a false positive test, peculiar to that substance and to young skin.