Spark source mass spectrographic study of metal allergenic substances on the skin

By spark source mass spectrography it is possible to trace very low concentrations of substances such as chromium, cobalt, and nickel in ethanol extracts of the skin. Chromium could be detected in abnormally high concentrations 3 weeks after one application, while nickel and cobalt reached background levels after 2 to 3 weeks. Touching a door handle containing chromium leads to a significant rise in the chromium content of the skin. Increased chromium content of the skin was evident in one case of wristwatch eczema as well.