Symptoms begin with cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, and upset stomach. The prognosis depends on the duration of the product use, concentration of mercury in the skin product, and the severity of clinical presentation. Very high exposure to breathing mercury metal vapor in the air can poison quickly. Chelation therapy is not mandatory and is usually indicated for symptomatic patients. Follow the links to read common uses, side effects, dosage. The primary treatment is the discontinuation of the skin lightening products. Below is a list of common natural remedies used to treat or reduce the symptoms of mercury toxicity. Blood and urine mercury levels are an essential examination for diagnosis and monitoring of the progress and response to treatment. Quick treatment may limit or stop the effects of poisoning entirely. Chronic exposures often happen on the job, especially in mining, factory settings or agriculture. A chronic exposure involves long-term exposure to a poison. An acute exposure might just be seconds or minutes. Physical assessment and relevant supporting tests are indicated to establish a diagnosis. A poisoning can be either acute or chronic. A thorough history of mercury exposure is crucial.

The possible reasons are non-specific clinical manifestation and lack of awareness and knowledge regarding chronic mercury intoxication secondary to skin lightening products. Many studies reported delayed diagnosis and treatment, even after weeks of hospitalization. Children with heavy metal poisoning may have unusually formed or weakened bones. Various effects on humans have been observed, which affect both users and non-users. Mercury is a toxic substance that is commonly used in skin lightening products. Mercury, cosmetics, skin-lightening, skin-whitening, bleaching, nephrotic syndrome, neuropsychiatry, dementia Abstract Exposure to organic mercury leads to chronic toxicity. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Typically, exposure to mercury from amalgams is less than exposure from foods such as tuna or swordfish that contain MeHg, a more toxic form of mercury. Acute toxicity usually results from the inhalation of elemental mercury or ingestion of inorganic mercury.

Mercury poisoning treatment