Antipathies Summary and Analysis

Sara Strong arrived at the Tulsa Dermatology Clinic with a classic case of an allergic rash, identified as an "eczematous allergic contact dermatitis." It was treated with cortisone cream. Despite treatment, the rash continued to spread and worsen. Upon her return to the clinic, and her revelation of the allergic ailments of her relatives, the diagnosis remained the same. At this point, the sites of the rashes were injected with cortisone. The rash grew. Despite antihistamines and injections of extremely strong corticosteroids, the condition remained severe. The dermatologist dug deeper into Sara's medical history and discovered that she had been fitted for an IUD in April of that year, and that it was shortly after that the allergic reaction occurred. He immediately contacted her gynecologist and learned that there was a small amount of copper in the IUD. Copper, he knew...