acrodynia [² + odyne, pain] A disease of infants and young children caused by chronic mercury poisoning. It has a prolonged clinical course with various grades of severity. The child is listless, irritable, and no longer interested in play. The rash has several variations. Initially, the tips of the fingers and toes become pink; the hands and feet become pink but color shades off at the wrists and ankles. As the disease progresses, the skin of the extremities desquamates, there are profuse sweating and pruritus, and pain is excruciating in the hands and feet. Neurological symptoms with neuritis and mental apathy develop. SYN: pink disease.

TREATMENT: Treatment consists of removing the source of the mercury, administering dimercaprol (BAL) antidote, and providing supportive therapy.

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