mercuric-chloride--ammoniated and Peripheral-Nervous-System-Diseases

Despite their potentially disastrous side effects, topical mercury salts can still be found as ingredients in some over-the-counter preparations or local remedies.. Peripheral polyneuropathy as a result of chronic ammoniated mercury poisoning was studied and followed over 2 years. A 36-year-old man developed peripheral polyneuropathy following chronic perianal use of an ammoniated mercury ointment. Highly elevated blood and urine mercury levels were found. Sural nerve biopsy showed mixed axonal degeneration-demyelination. There was progressive improvement of his symptoms over 2 years but neurophysiological examination revealed incomplete recovery.. The availability of safer drugs should result in a complete ban of these dangerous compounds.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Ammonia; Anal Canal; Humans; Male; Mercuric Chloride; Mercury; Neural Conduction; Nonprescription Drugs; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Sural Nerve

A 72-year-old Caucasian man with widespread psoriasis presented with a sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy following 40 years' use of an ammoniated mercury ointment. No clinical involvement of his central nervous system was noted and no other possible causative factors for his peripheral nerve disease were found. D-Penicillamine treatment induced mercuriuresis and blood levels of mercury fell to normal. His peripheral neuropathy improved slowly after normalisation of the serum mercury. It is believed that his condition was caused by percutaneous absorption of mercury. Ammoniated mercury ointments should have no role in the current management of skin disorders.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Aged; Ammonia; Humans; Male; Mercuric Chloride; Ointments; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Psoriasis