[Metal allergies. Results of patch tests from 1981 to 1984]

From 1981 to 1984 987 patients of the Allergy Department of the Würzburg University Dermatological Hospital were evaluated with patch testing using a standard series; 199 patients were additionally tested with a specially composed metal battery. The results of the standard series with regard to the four metals contained in it, namely mercuric chloride, nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and potassium bichromate, were contrasted with the test results of the metal battery. Here there were conspicuous discrepancies between the two collectives, above all, with respect to cobalt. In comparison to the data contained in the literature we found appreciable differences in the metals copper, cobalt and potassium bichromate.