ABSTRACT
Chrome ulcers were first described by William Cumin, in Glasgow 1827, in two dyers and in a person involved in the manufacture of potassium bichromate. He used potassium bichromate locally as a treatment for tuberculosis and found this produced papules which became pustules and ulcerated. It is essential to understand that allergy to chromium metal does not occur as in nickel sensitivity, hence potassium dichromate is the standard material for patch testing sensitivity to chromate compound ion. Patch testing with trivalent chromium does not produce such a high percentage of positives as hexavalent chromium. Anderson found that none of the patients who gave a positive patch test to potassium dichromate were positive to chromium chloride. A positive patch test will consist of redness with some induration; severe reactions will produce a definite eczematous response. Many metals, e.g., nickel, cobalt, and chromate can produce pustular reactions which do not indicate allergy.
