Generalized eruption with severe liver dysfunction associated with occupational exposure to trichloroethylene

Generalized dermatitis due to trichloroethylene is rare. A 21-year-old printer developed exfoliative dermatitis with mucous membrane involvement, fever and liver dysfunction after a 2-week occupational exposure to trichloroethylene. Positive patch-test reactions to trichloroethylene and to one of its metabolites, trichloroethanol, were observed. This dermatitis is considered to be mediated by a delayed-type hypersensitivity mechanism.