**4.1 Symptoms**

Table 2 lists the symptoms and diagnosis of the metal allergy patients who visited the Clinic of Dental Metal Allergy at Tokushima University Hospital during the period ranging from 1987 to 2005. Symptom locations can vary from being on only a limited area of the body, such as on the oral mucosa, hands, palm, back or neck, to being found over the entire skin surface. However, each of these metal elements does not possess a distinct pathology and no correlation has been noted between the class of metal elements and the clinical symptoms. Explanations for the typical symptoms noted for dental metal allergy are presented in the following table.


Table 2. Typical symptoms and diagnoses.

Table 2 lists the symptoms and diagnosis of the metal allergy patients who visited the Clinic of Dental Metal Allergy at Tokushima University Hospital during the period ranging from 1987 to 2005. Symptom locations can vary from being on only a limited area of the body, such as on the oral mucosa, hands, palm, back or neck, to being found over the entire skin surface. However, each of these metal elements does not possess a distinct pathology and no correlation has been noted between the class of metal elements and the clinical symptoms. Explanations for the typical symptoms noted for dental metal allergy are presented in the

> July 2000 to June 2005

plantae 10 4.7 2 2.3

Urticaria 8 3.8 1 1.1 Atopic dermatitis 7 3.3 12 13.7

Candidiasis 7 3.3

Anthema 7 3.3 Generalized eczema 7 3.3

face) 5 2.4 Intraoral white lesion 4 1.9

Table 2. Typical symptoms and diagnoses.

plantaris/dyshidrotic eczema 51 24.1 19 21.7 9 15.0 Lichen planus 24 11.3 15 17.1 4 6.7

gingivitis 21 9.9 13 14.8 8 13.3 Contact dermatitis 18 8.5 37 42.2 17 28.3 Allergic rhinitis 10 4.7 1 1.7

Glossalgia 8 3.8 8 13.3 Asthma 8 3.8 1 1.7

hand 7 3.3 2 2.3 3 5.0

feeling 4 1.9 2 2.3 4 6.7 Solar dermatitis 4 1.9 2 3.3 Other 40 18.9 11 12.5 3 5.0

6 2.8

Number of patients

July 1995 to June 2000

Number % Number % Number %

July 1987 to June 1995

**4. Pathology 4.1 Symptoms** 

following table.

Symptoms

Pustulosis palmaris et

Stomatitis/cheilitis/

Anthema in hands and

Redness and eczema in one

Contact dermatitis and redness with pierced earring,

Redness (hands and feet/

Glossitis/lingual nervous

ring and necklaces
