Contact dermatitis from a copper-containing intrauterine contraceptive device.

The article focuses on medical references to the allergenic capacity of copper when it is present in the intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD). Four patients with identical clinical picture were diagnosed. These patients with the standard Spanish Contact Dermatitis Research Group were tested with patch test series and also with copper sulfate and barium sulfate. There have been references to metal device sensitization in dental prostheses, surgical prostheses, pacemakers and acupuncture needles. IUCD copper sensitization is another example of this special pattern of allergic contact dermatitis.