Officials warn of mercury poisoning
Texas health officials are warning about mercury poisoning after a West Texas family was exposed to skin cream purchased in Mexico.
Austin, Texas – State health officials are warning Texas about mercury poisoning after a case was reported in West Texas from a skin cream.
The Texas Department of State Health Services says it recently received a report from a family of mercury poisoning that was exposed through a skin cream product purchased in Mexico.
The product was labeled as a non-skin cream and mercury was not listed as an ingredient on the label. After using the face cream, a family member developed mild non-specific symptoms.
Mercury may be added to skin creams that claim to lighten skin, treat acne or fade freckles, blemishes and age spots, DSHS says. These products are often made overseas, and mercury is usually added by a third party.
Health officials offer the following recommendations:
- Buy skin care products only in original, sealed containers sold by reputable retailers
- Don’t buy skin care products at swap meets, flea markets, or from individual online sellers.
- Do not use skin creams that are handmade in Mexico, unlabeled, unsealed, or purchased from other than a major retailer.
- Do not buy or use products that may have the following words in their ingredients list – mercury compounds such as “mercury,” “mercurio,” “calomel,” or “mercurous chloride.”
If you are using a skin cream that matches any of the above, you are advised to:
If a facility isn’t available in your community, DSHS says you can instead tightly cap the product, seal it in a zipper bag, label it “Mercury: Do Not Touch,” and throw it out with the household trash. can
Some common symptoms of mercury poisoning should be looked out for:
- Shaking or trembling
- High blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Fatigue or muscle weakness in arms and legs
- Mood changes, anxiety, insomnia or depression
- Memory loss, headaches or difficulty concentrating
- Tingling or numbness in hands, feet, or lips
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to mercury through a skin cream should contact their healthcare provider or the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800-222-1222.
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