Mercury exanthem

Mercury Intoxication after Topical Application of a Metallic Mercury Ointment

“…Numerous cases of both acute and chron ic occupational and non-occupational metallic mercury intoxication have already been described, although the hazardous na ture of metallic mercury does not seem to be sufficiently known [4][5][6]. Metallic mercury, which evaporates at room temperature, is toxic primarily through inhalation, the max- imum allowable concentration in air of mer cury being 0.1 mg/m3 [7], It is very easily ab sorbed through the alveolar membranes of the lungs and transported to the entire body, including the brain, where it oxidizes to ion ic forms.…”

“…Indeed, all mercury compounds are strong allergens [9], What some authors call mercury exan them [e.g., 5, 10] corresponds clinically with the dermatological symptoms of our patient. Nakayama et al [5] assume that such exan them only occurs in previously sensitized patients who manifest a contact allergy for mercury and that it appears 1 or 2 days after contact with the mercury from a broken thermometer or after dental treatment. However, such a systemic allergic contact dermatitis reaction does not seem to have occurred in our patients since the patch tests with mercury compounds were negative.…”

Clinical and Forensic Signs Resulting from Exposure to Heavy Metals and Other Chemical Elements of the Periodic Table

“…“Acrodynia” (in Greek means “painful extremities”), also known as pink disease, Feer syndrome, and Feer-Swift disease, is an uncommon syndrome that typically emerges from elemental mercury exposure, but may also occur from contact with phenyl mercury and mercury salts [ 240 , 241 , 242 , 243 ]. This intoxication usually occurs in infants and children since they find the shiny, gray appearance of Hg0 exceptionally appealing [ 244 ]. When in contact with elemental mercury through the skin, children can develop acrodynia.…”

Systemic Contact Dermatitis

“…Exposure can be from the vapors released from a broken thermometer, from homeopathic drugs or the drilling of amalgam dental fillings [21,[63][64][65][66].…”