Allergic contact dermatitis from mercury antiseptics and derivatives: study protocol of tolerance to intramuscular injections of thimerosal.

Background: Mercury derivatives are frequent contact allergens and their cross-reactivity is not constant. Thimerosal is an organic mercurial used as an antiseptic and as a preservative in most vaccines.

Objective: To evaluate cross-reactivity, exposure factors, and tolerance to vaccines containing thimerosal in patients sensitized to mercury derivatives.