Chronic mercury toxicity secondary to the use of inorganic mercury-containing skin-lightening
creams is often misdiagnosed, mainly due to its non-specific symptoms.
1
Before a mercury toxicology workup was initiated, victims had been frequently seen
by physicians in various specialties under the suspicion of many other diseases.
2
Despite the law prohibiting use of mercury in cosmetics beyond trace amounts, mercury-containing
creams are still widely available in this era of easy travels and e-commerce.
3
We herein describe a patient with neuropathy and nephropathy secondary to mercury
poisoning who made a full recovery following the initiation of chelation therapy not
in conjunction with corticosteroids.Key words
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References
- Nephrotic syndrome caused by exposures to skin-lightening cosmetic products containing inorganic mercury.Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2020; 58: 9-15
- Mercury toxicity presenting as chronic fatigue, memory impairment and depression: diagnosis, treatment, susceptibility, and outcomes in a New Zealand general practice setting (1994-2006).Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006; 27: 415-423
- Spectrometric analysis of mercury content in 549 skin-lightening products: is mercury toxicity a hidden global health hazard?.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014; 70 (e283): 281-287
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