Overview
Mercury poisoning, also known as mercurialism or hydrargyria, is a condition caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can enter the body through breathing in mercury vapors, eating contaminated food (especially fish and shellfish), or through skin contact. Once mercury enters the body, it can damage the brain, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. There are three main forms of mercury that cause poisoning: elemental (metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury salts, and organic mercury (such as methylmercury found in fish). Symptoms depend on the type and amount of mercury exposure. Acute exposure can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and kidney damage. Chronic or long-term exposure often affects the nervous system, causing tremors, memory problems, mood changes, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and vision or hearing changes. In severe cases, mercury poisoning can lead to kidney failure, respiratory failure, or death. Children and developing fetuses are especially vulnerable because mercury can harm brain development. Treatment focuses on removing the source of mercury exposure and using chelation therapy, which involves medications that bind to mercury in the body and help remove it through urine. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because some damage, especially to the nervous system, may be permanent. The outlook depends on the type of mercury, the amount of exposure, and how quickly treatment begins.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Tremors or shaking, especially in the handsNumbness or tingling in hands, feet, or around the mouthMemory problems and difficulty concentratingMood changes including irritability and anxietyMetallic taste in the mouthNausea, vomiting, and diarrheaVision changes or blurred visionHearing lossMuscle weaknessDifficulty walking or poor coordinationSkin rashes or discolorationKidney problems including changes in urinationFatigue and general weaknessHeadachesDifficulty speaking or slurred speech
Clinical phenotype terms (21)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Mercury poisoning.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
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Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Mercury poisoning.
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Disease timeline:
New trial: NBMI Treatment in Patients With Mercury Toxicity
Phase PHASE2 trial recruiting. (N1, N3-bis(2- mercaptoethyl)isophthalamide)
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of mercury was I exposed to, and how does that affect my treatment plan?,What are my current blood and urine mercury levels, and what do they mean?,Do I need chelation therapy, and if so, which medication is best for my situation?,What long-term effects should I watch for, and how often should I be monitored?,Are my family members or household contacts also at risk and should they be tested?,Are there specific foods I should avoid or dietary changes I should make?,Should I see a neurologist or other specialist for my symptoms?
Common questions about Mercury poisoning
What is Mercury poisoning?
Mercury poisoning, also known as mercurialism or hydrargyria, is a condition caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can enter the body through breathing in mercury vapors, eating contaminated food (especially fish and shellfish), or through skin contact. Once mercury enters the body, it can damage the brain, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. There are three main forms of mercury that cause poisoning: elemental (metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury salts, and organic mercury (such as methylmercury found in fish). Symptoms depend on the type and amo
How is Mercury poisoning inherited?
Mercury poisoning follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Mercury poisoning?
3 specialists and care centers treating Mercury poisoning are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.