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Pink disease

Mercury used to be a common additive in teething powders and other baby products. Babies who were particularly sensitive to mercury developed Pink disease. Of those who contracted Pink disease, around one quarter died. The symptoms include anaemia, lethargy, severe light sensitivity, skin rash and loss of appetite, weight and muscle tone.

Once mercury was discovered as the cause of Pink disease in 1948, mercury was withdrawn from baby products. Pink disease is now exceptionally rare. However, research indicates that people who survived Pink disease in their infancy may be prone to ongoing health problems such as bronchiectasis, autoimmune diseases, chemical sensitivities and allergies. Other names for Pink disease include acrodynia, erythroedema, Feer's disease, infantile mercury (Hg) poisoning and Swift's disease.

Symptoms worsen as the disease progresses
Pink disease could take months or even years to progress. Some of the stages include:

  • The child becomes lethargic and loses interest in activities such as playing.
  • Skin rashes come and go.
  • The fingertips, toes and nose turn pink.
  • The hands and feet turn deep pink with patches of blue (cyanosis).
  • The sweat glands enlarge and the child tends to perspire excessively.
  • Pus-filled skin eruptions develop.
  • The skin peels off the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
  • The fingers and toes retain fluid and swell.
  • The skin becomes itchy and painful, particularly on the hands and feet.
  • Hair falls out or is pulled out.
  • Affected skin may develop gangrene or ulcers.
  • Pain prevents the child from sleeping.
  • Nails blacken and fall off.
  • The eyes are inflamed and the child becomes hypersensitive to light.
  • The teeth loosen and fall out.
  • The child drools excessively.
  • The muscles and ligaments become lax and soft, and the child may not want to walk.
  • Diarrhoea and prolapse of the rectum can occur.
Mercury is a hazardous substance
Mercury is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment. There are different forms, but the most common is methyl mercury. Exposure to mercury can cause serious damage throughout many structures of the body including the brain, nervous system and kidneys. A child is more vulnerable to the harmful effects of mercury because their brains are still developing. Some sources of mercury include:
  • Fish - particularly shark, ray, swordfish, barramundi, gemfish, orange roughy, ling, southern bluefin, and freshwater fish in geothermal lakes and rivers (New Zealand).
  • Some medications, such as psoriasis creams.
  • Dental amalgam fillings.
  • Some adhesives.
  • Batteries.
  • House paints.
Chelation therapy
The source of the mercury must be found and eliminated from the person's environment. The aim of medical treatment is to remove the mercury from the body. Chelation therapy is the use of various substances (either injected or taken in tablet form) that bind to toxic substances like mercury. The bound toxins are then excreted out of the body, most commonly in urine.

Ongoing health problems for survivors
Survivors of childhood Pink disease seem to be prone to an increased incidence of a wide range of ongoing health problems, including:
  • Eyes - severe light sensitivity, spots and flashes, night blindness, dim vision and aching eyes.
  • Mouth and throat - trouble swallowing, coughing fits, swelling, pain and metallic taste.
  • Anaemia - increased incidence of anaemia.
  • Muscles and bones - painful muscles and ligaments, arthritis, poor muscle tone and physical weakness.
  • Coordination - lack of physical and verbal coordination, clumsiness.
  • Allergies and sensitivities - to foods, medicines, cosmetics, chemicals, food additives and metals, and hayfever.
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome - a debilitating illness characterised by severe and chronic physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.
  • Numbness - particularly in the extremities.
  • Hand and feet problems - including Raynaud's syndrome (poor circulation to the extremities) and restless legs syndrome (compelling need to move the legs due to discomfort).
  • Migraines and headaches.
  • Skin - spots and rashes on exposure to sunlight, sun sensitivity, dry and flaky skin.
  • Heart and lungs - asthma, breathlessness, bronchitis and bronchiectasis (a widening of the airways of the lungs which causes coughing, fever, night sweats and breathlessness), poor circulation, heart problems and tachycardia.
  • Emotional issues - depression, forgetfulness, insomnia, shyness, sensitivity to noise, and reduced physical health level.
  • Infertility - affecting men and women, plus an increased likelihood of gynaecological problems and men's problems.
  • General - increased sensitivity to heat and cold.
Where to get help
  • Your doctor
  • Pink Disease Support Group Email: difarnsworth@bigpond.com
Things to remember
  • Mercury used to be a common additive in teething powders and other baby products.
  • Babies who were particularly sensitive to mercury developed Pink disease, a syndrome characterised by symptoms including anaemia, lethargy and skin rash. Once mercury was discovered as the cause of Pink disease in 1948, mercury was withdrawn from baby products.
  • Survivors of Pink disease seem to be prone to ongoing health problems such as autoimmune diseases, chemical sensitivities and allergies.

    Related articles:

Dental fillings.
Fish.
Mercury in fish.


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Pink Disease Support Group

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Article publication date: 22/07/2002
Last reviewed: 31/10/2006

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