What to do for mercury poisoning
Dec 16, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Mercury poisoning, also known as mercury toxicity, may lead to a series of serious problems and requires immediate removal from the toxic environment, elimination of unabsorbed toxins within the body, mercury-chelating therapy, symptomatic and supportive treatment, and blood purification. In managing mercury poisoning, it is essential to promptly and accurately assess the patient's condition and implement effective treatment measures to minimize the damage caused by mercury exposure as much as possible.
Mercury poisoning, also known as mercury toxicity, may lead to a series of serious health issues. Management options include immediately leaving the contaminated environment, removing unabsorbed toxins from the body, mercury-chelating therapy, symptomatic and supportive treatment, and blood purification. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Immediate removal from the toxic environment: The patient should immediately stop contact with the toxin and quickly leave the contaminated environment. If mercury vapor has been inhaled or mercury-containing substances have been accidentally ingested, the individual should immediately leave the site, change contaminated clothing, and breathe fresh air to avoid further inhalation or ingestion of mercury.
2. Removal of unabsorbed toxins within the body: For patients with oral mercury poisoning, if the intake is not significant, the mercury can usually be excreted naturally through feces without specific treatment. However, if a large amount of mercury has been ingested, gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate or warm water followed by induced vomiting should be performed immediately. Subsequently, raw egg whites, milk, or soy milk may be taken orally to adsorb the toxin, and magnesium sulfate can be administered as a laxative to aid in the elimination of unabsorbed mercury from the body.
3. Mercury-chelating therapy: Chelation therapy is a crucial part of treating mercury poisoning. Drugs such as sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate or dimercaptosuccinic acid are typically used. Administered via intramuscular or intravenous injection, these medications promote the excretion of mercury ions from the body by forming stable complexes with mercury, thereby reducing its toxicity and accelerating its elimination.
4. Symptomatic and supportive treatment: Treatment should be tailored according to the patient's specific symptoms. For example, fluid replacement, correction of water and electrolyte imbalances, and oral care can help alleviate discomfort. Additionally, for patients experiencing skin problems such as contact dermatitis, treatments such as boric acid wet dressings may be employed.
5. Blood purification: In cases of severe mercury poisoning, particularly when mercury levels in the bloodstream are high, blood purification techniques such as hemodialysis or hemoperfusion may be considered to rapidly remove accumulated toxins from the body and reduce the risk of organ damage. Blood purification may need to be performed regularly to continuously lower mercury levels within the body.
When managing mercury poisoning, it is essential to promptly and accurately assess the patient's condition and implement effective treatment measures to minimize harm caused by mercury exposure as much as possible.
