Causes and Risks:

• mercury

Where Found:

• Acetomeroctol, an antiseptic mercurial (containing mercury and used to clean infections)

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • no urine output
• gastrointestinal
  • severe abdominal cramping
  • burning mouth pain
  • bloody diarrhea
  • increased thirst
  • metallic taste
  • excessive salivation
  • vomiting

Home Treatment: Clean exposed skin with mild soap and water. If the acetomeroctol was swallowed, call Poison Control for guidance.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a laxative.
• Usually administer an antidote.
• Treat the symptoms.

If the patient is given the antidote within at least 1 week of the ingestion, recovery is likely. If patient is pregnant, damage to the unborn child is possible.