A person can take in toxic amounts of mercury in three forms. Mercury can be elemental mercury (quicksilver or liquid mercury as found in glass thermometers or light switches), inorganic mercury (salts as found in batteries) or organic mercury (as found in antiseptics and older types of medications such as mercurochrome or in seafood.) Which form of mercury you have been exposed to tends to show up as different symptoms. How sensitive you are to mercury may dictate the severity of symptoms you develop.
Topical Medication Symptoms
Topical medications like ammoniated mercury can cause a reaction similar to an allergic reaction, especially to a person who is very sensitive to mercury. According to Mayo Clinic staff, those using ammoniated mercury may become dizzy, feel nauseous or have headaches. Other symptoms of mercury toxicity for ammoniated mercury include cloudy urine, skin rash and swelled gums.
Symptoms of Elemental Mercury Toxicity
Exposure to elemental mercury rarely leads to poisoning. Drugs.com states it can become toxic, however, if spilled and someone tries to vacuum it. The mercury could then break up into tiny droplets that a person could breathe in. If it enters your airways, you could become nauseous, have trouble breathing and develop a cough. You will have a metallic taste in your mouth and your gums could become swollen and bleed.
Symptoms of Inorganic Mercury Toxicity
Inorganic mercury might be swallowed by mistake and will result in a burning in the stomach and throat. Drugs.com states that a person swallowing inorganic mercury may also have bloody diarrhea and vomit.
Symptoms of Organic Mercury Toxicity
Organic mercury can become toxic through the skin, by breathing it in or by ingesting it by swallowing, but it doesn't usually have the acute symptoms inorganic or elemental mercury may have. Drugs.com states symptoms of organic mercury poisoning may show up over time with repeated exposure and include numbness, skin sensitivity and pain. You may also develop tremors and have difficulty walking. In extreme cases blindness, memory loss and seizures may come about.
