Open AccessPalmoplantar Eruption in a Patient With Mercury Poisoning
Author(s) -
Michelle A McNally,
Helena Jenkinson,
Saisindhu Narala,
Megan Rogge
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cutis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2326-6929
pISSN - 0011-4162
DOI - 10.12788/cutis.0113
Subject(s) - medicine , mercury poisoning , mercury (programming language) , poison control , suicide prevention , occupational safety and health , injury prevention , dermatology , human factors and ergonomics , medical emergency , toxicity , pathology , computer science , programming language
Mercury poisoning is a rare event that can present with a variety of nonspecific systemic symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. Dermatologic manifestations of mercury exposure may be variable and include pink disease (acrodynia), mercury exanthem, contact dermatitis, and cutaneous granulomas. We present the case of an 18-year-old woman with a palmoplantar eruption associated with tachycardia, hyperhidrosis, myalgia, paresthesia, and muscle fasciculations. Physical examination demonstrated poorly demarcated pink macules coalescing into patches on the left palm, right wrist, and soles. A punch biopsy was nonspecific, showing acanthosis and orthokeratosis with mild inflammation. Elevated urine and serum mercury levels confirmed a diagnosis of mercury poisoning. This case highlights the importance of consideration of mercury poisoning in the differential diagnosis for acral eruptions, especially in the presence of systemic symptoms and known risk factors.