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 Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Causes of Zinc Poisoning
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 of Zinc Poisoning
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, Appleton, Green Bay, and Wausau), Iowa (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport), and in Illinois (Bloomington, Gurnee, and Rockford) our attorneys have the power to help you win maximum compensation for your injuries.