ADAM Health Encyclopedia

Mercuric oxide

Definition

Mercuric oxide is a form of mercury. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing mercuric oxide.

Poisonous Ingredient

Mercuric oxide

Where Found

Mercuric oxide may be found in some:

• Button batteries -- however, batteries containing mercury are no longer sold in the United States
• Fungicides

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Decreased urine output (may stop completely)
• Salivation
• Mouth sores
• Shock
• Extreme difficulty breathing
• Swelling within the throat (may swell closed)
• Abdominal pain (severe)
• Vomiting
• Bloody diarrhea

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

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

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
• Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach gastric lavage

Any person who swallowed a battery will need immediate x-rays to make sure the battery is not stuck in the esophagus. Most swallowed batteries that pass through the esophagus will pass out of the body in the stool without complication. However, batteries stuck in the esophagus can cause a hole in the esophagus very quickly. It is very important to seek immediate medical help after a battery is swallowed. For more information see: button batteries.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery. Mercuric oxide poisoning can lead to organ failure and death.