What Are the Treatments for Mercury Poisoning?

Mercury can affect the nervous system as well as cause birth defects in pregnant women. People with mercury poisoning may experience symptoms such as difficulty with motor functions including smell, sight, or touch, as well as fatigue, easy bruising, or other symptoms most commonly associated with anemia. As mercury poisoning can require a long recovery period, it is important to seek treatment as quickly as possible.

Reducing Exposure

• There are three types of mercury poisoning: poisoning due to elemental mercury, which causes vomiting and trouble breathing; poisoning due to inorganic mercury, which causes blood in the stool and burning in the throat; and organic mercury poisoning, which can cause skin numbness and tremors. The type of symptoms that are presented can help a physician diagnose which type of poisoning a patient may have.

  The first step in treating mercury poisoning is to cease any activities that led to the poisoning in the first place. For example, if you experience mercury poisoning due to eating high amounts of fish, you should cease eating those fish. Sometimes mercury poisoning can be due to one-time exposure, such as that of a broken thermometer. In these instances, no lifestyle modifications should be made.

Chelation

• A physician will most often prescribe a medication for mercury poisoning known as a chelating agent. Such medications include dimercaprol, which is known for its detoxifying and purifying properties. The medication is also used in the treatment of arsenic, gold, and other elemental poisonings. Other chelating agents include 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and L-penicillamine.

  Once ingested, these medications help to bind to mercury and limit its effects on the nervous system. This allows a portion of the body's mercury stores to be released. However, not all mercury is removed using this medication.

Last-Resort Methods

• If a patient is still experiencing significant symptoms due to mercury poisoning, there are two more invasive treatment options that may show some promise. The first is exchange transfusion, in which a person's red blood cells are removed and then replaced with healthy red blood cells or platelets. The risks associated with this type of procedure include blood clots, infection, and shock, according to MedLine Plus.

  Lastly, mercury poisoning that has lodged in the intestines or colon may be surgically removed in order to prevent further symptoms. As surgery creates several risks for the patient and does not remove mercury from the blood, patients will still experience side effects as a result of mercury poisoning.