Mercury

Home treatment:

Metallic mercury is basically nontoxic since it is not normally absorbed from the intestinal tract. 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 glassful or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8-12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat one more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following:

• 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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

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 at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Induce emesis.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a cathartic (a medication used to evacuate the bowels).
• Give an antidote.
• Treat the symptoms .

Expectations (prognosis):

Since metallic mercury is normally not absorbed by the intestinal tract, recovery is very likely. For mercury chloride and some of the other salt forms, deaths have occurred.

Any closure of the throat or extreme difficulty breathing is an emergency situation.