![]() It's generally accepted that chronic exposure to mercury was the cause of Pink Disease together with some other predisposing factor such as hypersensitivity to mercury, a molecular malfunction, or prior illness. Family life was generally disrupted by the baby's constant crying. The mothers and other care-givers of babies with Pink Disease suffered severe exhaustion from lack of sleep, severe stress and loss of weight. ![]() Death was usually the result of secondary infections such as broncho-pneumonia, circulatory collapse, hyponatraemia and very high fever. Those who hadn't started to walk tended to start walking later than average.Īlthough it has been estimated that between 10% and 33% of babies who got the disease died, a higher death rate is suggested by anecdotal evidence. The loss of muscle tone was so severe that those who were walking at the time they contracted Pink Disease frequently stopped walking. The older child can become asocial, talk infrequently and be bad tempered, difficult and even violent. The child becomes listless, doesn’t smile, and doesn’t want to play anymore and may simply sit around and rest all d ay.Lack of muscle tone and high blood pressure are detectable.Coldness and moistness of the extremities is evident.Light sensitivity and the pinkness of the hands and feet are not as noticeable.Irritability, failure to gain weight, sleeplessness and lack of energy are the most noticeable symptoms.The symptoms of Pink Disease in children over the age of 2 are similar to those mentioned above but are nowhere near as dramatic. Pink Disease occurred in older children in Europe because the most common cause was worming preparations containing mercury. An abortive, less severe form of babyhood Pink Disease also occurs. Although the disease is commonly called Pink Disease because of the swollen, pink hands and feet that are a noticeable feature of the disease, this symptom is not always present. The disease typically lasted between 3 months and a year and it sometimes recurred. Secondary infections particularly to the skin and lungs The child is restless, irritable, miserable & anxious ![]() If circulation is really poor in the extremities, gangrene and auto-amputation can occur General excess sensitivity of the skin to touch, temperature, water and UV light Scratching and tearing at skin and sucking andchewing of fingers The symptoms of classic Pink Disease for babies and toddlers include:Ĭonvulsive seizures and petit mal attacksĮlevated temperature, blood pressure and pulse rateĭigestive problems including loss of weight,loss of appetite, vomiting and constipationĬold, clammy, swollen pink or bluish hands and feet The use of mercury in teething powders was prohibited in Australia from 1953-7 (depending on the state). The most common cause of Pink Disease was teething powders containing mer curous chloride (calomel). In the English speaking western world, the age of onset is usually between 6-14 months. The severity and duration of the disease vary. Pink Disease was and still is a very nasty disease with diverse and complex symptoms.
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