Zinc Poisoning | Symptoms, Causes and Prognosis

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of zinc poisoning. Zinc is a type of metal that is found in everything from paint to denture cream. However, too much of the metal can be poisonous, even fatal.

If you believe that you are suffering from zinc poisoning please see your physician, call 911 or contact the National Poison Control Centerat 1-800-222-1222.

Causes

Zinc poisoning can occur after ingesting, inhaling or absorbing excessive amounts of the substance. The following list contains some of the more common places that zinc is found. There may be other sources not included on this list.

Paint
Rubber
Dyes
Wood preservatives
Ointments (such as denture cream)
Rust preventative coatings
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Zinc chloride
Zinc oxide
Zinc acetate
Zinc sulfate
Heated or burned galvanized metal (releases zinc fumes)

Symptoms

Symptoms of zinc poisoning include but are not limited to:

Body pain
Burning sensations
Chills
Convulsions
Cough
Fever
IBS (or similar symptoms)
Low blood pressure
Metallic taste in mouth
Muscle weakness
Neuropathy
Numbness or loss of sensation
No urine output
Paresthesias (numbness, tingling, pinching, sharp, deep stabs, electric shocks or buzzing in the arms and legs)
Paralysis
Rash
Shock
Shortness of breath
Vomiting
Watery or bloody diarrhea
Yellow eyes or yellow skin

If you believe that you have been affected by zinc poisoning please contact a physician immediately.

Prognosis

The long-term prognosis for those with zinc poisoning varies. Recovery depends on the amount of zinc consumed, the time of exposure and how quickly treatment was sought. Long-term effects of zinc poisoning can vary from moderate to severe. This includes permanent neurological damage and even death.

If you believe that you have been affected by the use of your denture cream please contact an experienced attorney at Hupy & Abraham today. With offices in Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison and Appleton), Iowa (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Quad Cities in Iowa), and in Illinois (Normal and Gurnee) our attorneys have the power to help you win maximum compensation for your injuries.