Long-standing dermatological manifestations in a patient with chronic heavy metal intoxication

A patient with chronic metal intoxication is described, presenting during four years after the cessation of her exposure to industrial substances, maculo-papular eruptions with several ulcerated lesions and excoriations on her abdomen and buttocks. She also had pallor of her face, greyish-dark discoloration of the hair, while the fingernails were brittle and sensitive. Scrupulous physical examination excluded further cutaneous involvement. The immunological workup revealed both phenotypic and functional defects in cellular immunity.