Question
My baby is one year and nine months old. Last night at 10 PM, while measuring the baby’s body temperature to put him to sleep, he accidentally bit through a mercury thermometer, and some mercury came out. The rest was eaten. I immediately made him vomit, and he threw up dinner and milk, but I’m not sure what to do.
Answer
Mercury can cause acute corrosive stomatitis and gastroenteritis within minutes to several hours after accidental ingestion. Skin contact with mercury and its compounds can lead to contact dermatitis with an allergic reaction, characterized by red macules that can merge into patches or form blisters, leaving hyperpigmentation after healing. The child is at risk of pediatric acute gastritis, so family members must take the child to the hospital immediately to avoid various complications. It is important to receive timely symptomatic treatment. For parents, it is crucial to closely monitor their child’s symptoms and do everything possible to help their child receive timely treatment for the illness.