Objective: Evaluate the clinical features of skin reactions to gold salts.
Introduction: Gold dermatitis is described in the literature as a group of reactions non-specifically associated with these drugs.
Patients and methods: Ten patients (7 males, 3 females, mean age 59.6 years [corrected] with a skin reaction were studied over a 6 year period. All were treated with Allochrysine for rheumatoid arthritis (n = 8), rhizomelic pseudopolyarthritis (n = 1) or arthropathic psoriasis (n = 1).
Results: The delay to the first signs was from 2 weeks to 8 months. Three lichenoid eruptions (including two with buccal lesions and two which followed an autonomous course), 2 pityriasis rosea (one with eosinophilia and one with liver disease), 2 eczematoid dermatoses and one urticaria were observed. Pathology examinations (8/10) were in agreement with clinical diagnosis. Imputability was 14 (1 case), 13 (8 cases) and 12 (1 case).
Discussion: The clinical features observed were variable and in agreement with a particular clinical situation. They were not specific to gold salts and cannot be qualified as "gold dermatitis". Two autonomous and severe lichenoid eruptions were observed. Generalized lesions were associated with biological signs. This situation must be considered as a marker of severity.