Mercury dermatitis

Introduction to Mercury Dermatitis Mercury dermatitis refers to dermatitis-like eczema-like changes caused by exposure or oral amalgam. Local exposure to calomel or other therapeutic amalgams (red mercury, 5% ammoniacal mercury) and internal medicines containing mercury can cause dermatitis. Mercury can cause irritant dermatitis even at very low concentrations (1:1000). Phenylmercury, thimerosal, and mercury nitrate can also cause dermatitis. basic knowledge Proportion of disease: the incidence of mercury mining industry is about 0.01%-0.02% Susceptible people: no specific population Mode of infection: non-infectious Complications: atopic dermatitis

Cause of mercury dermatitis

Local exposure to calomel or other therapeutic amalgams (red mercury, 5% ammoniacal mercury) and mercury-containing internal medicine can cause mercury sensitization, and mercury can cause irritation even at very low concentrations (1:1000). Dermatitis, phenylmercury, thimerosal and mercury nitrate can also cause allergic dermatitis.

Mercury dermatitis prevention

1. Improve production equipment and improve sanitary conditions in production workplaces: install good and effective ventilation, exhaust and vacuum equipment, reduce harmful gases and dust in the workshop, and set up bathrooms and changing rooms.

2. Strengthen personal protection, pay attention to wearing overalls, gloves, masks, hats, masks, protective eyes and other protective clothing, boots and so on.

Mercury dermatitis complications Complications allergic dermatitis

If it is a simple skin contact, it can form a severe allergic reaction or even cause exfoliative dermatitis. If a large amount of mercury vapor is inhaled, it can cause acute poisoning such as encephalopathy, necrotizing bone disease and hand and foot tremor. Chronic mercury poisoning patients may have changes in EEG amplitude and rhythm electrical activity, peripheral nerve conduction velocity slows, blood a2 globulin and reduced glutathione increase, and blood lysosomal enzyme, erythrocyte cholinesterase Reduced with serum sulfhydryl groups, can be complicated by severe liver and kidney function damage.

Mercury dermatitis symptoms Common symptoms High heat flow exfoliative dermatitis papular herpes

Mercury dermatitis can be found in medical personnel and patients exposed to amalgam (mercury bromide, mercury, thiomersal, nitrophenolic mercury, 5% ammoniacal mercury, amalgam, etc.). Phenylmercury can be used as a herbicide as a herbicide. Fungal agents and insecticides, and phenylmercury salts can also be used in industrial products such as glues, rubber compounds, pastes, bentonite gums, mildew inhibitors, stimulating dermatitis caused by mercury nitrate can be found in felt hat workers, etching Metal crafts makers, thermometers, barometers, dry batteries (solder), fire-plating workers can cause dermatitis due to exposure to mercury. In addition, organic mercury poisoning can also be accompanied by poisoning rash.

Examination of mercury dermatitis

The measurement of urinary mercury and hematuria reflects the absorption of mercury in the body to a certain extent, but it is often not related to the clinical symptoms and severity of skin damage caused by mercury poisoning. The normal value of urinary mercury varies from region to region. The normal upper limit of domestic urinary mercury is not more than 0.25mol/L (0.05mg/L) or the atomic energy absorption method is not more than 0.1mol/L (0.02mg/L). ). The normal upper limit of blood mercury is 1.5 mol/L (0.03 mg/dl). At the same time, mercury can be used for allergy patch test.

Diagnosis and identification of mercury dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs mostly in exposed areas and genital area, skin flushing, swelling, mostly scattered or dense red miliary size papules, herpes, vesicles or bullae, thick blister wall, blister clear, pale yellow, Contains mercury, consciously itchy, after appropriate treatment after stopping contact, the blister is dry, can be large-scale desquamation, and can be re-appeared when contacted.

Poisonous rash is accompanied by high fever, measles-like erythema appears in the whole body, and exfoliative dermatitis can be caused in severe cases. Mercury can be contained in dandruff and urine. Severe poisoning can be seen in sputum, mercury in the gums, and metallic odor in the mouth.

The diagnosis is mainly based on the history of exposure to amalgam. Skin lesions occur in contact with mercury and clinical manifestations. Urinary mercury determination is of great value in the diagnosis of mercury poisoning.

Generally not confused with other diseases.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.