Emergency Treatment for Mercury Poisoning

Mercury is a toxic substance found in a variety of objects and solutions, including some glass thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and older antiseptics like red mercurochrome. Mercury poisoning is a medical emergency requiring prompt attention.

Background

• The treatment for mercury poisoning varies based on the type of mercury that you have been exposed to and how you came in contact with it, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Types of Mercury

• Elemental mercury found in light bulbs and thermometers usually causes little damage if swallowed or touched, but is hazardous if inhaled. Inorganic mercury contained in batteries and found in old medications is toxic if ingested, inhaled or if it is allowed to stay on your skin for a prolonged period of time, cautions the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Treatment

• Elemental mercury poisoning due to inhalation is treated by administering oxygen and sucking the mercury out of your, lungs followed by prescription medications to remove mercury from your body. Inorganic mercury poisoning includes administering fluids intravenously, using activated charcoal to absorb mercury in the stomach if ingested and using medicines to remove the mercury from your body.

Time Frame

• Organic mercury poisoning treatment usually occurs over many months and consists only of prescription medications. The most common are DMPS and DMSA, according to Harvard University.

Prognosis

• The success of treatment depends largely upon the severity of the exposure, with large doses having the potential to cause brain or kidney damage or even death. Organic mercury poisoning is very difficult to treat and is likely to cause permanent brain damage, explains the U.S National Library of Medicine.