A variety of symptoms may occur in a patient with zinc intoxication, depending on the degree and rate of exposure.
Synonym: zincalism
Acute ingestions may cause:
(1) nausea and vomiting
(2) abdominal pain and diarrhea
(3) lethargy
(4) ataxia
(5) headache
Inhalation of zinc can result in metal fume fever with
(1) a metallic taste in the mouth
(2) flu-like symptoms with fever, chills, and myalgias
(3) fatigue and malaise
(4) headache
(5) cough
Massive acute exposures can result in:
(1) pancreatitis
(2) renal failure
(3) other organ failures
More chronic exposures can result in:
(1) peripheral neuropathy
(2) central nervous system demyelination
(3) copper deficiency
(4) acquired myelodysplasia (associated with the copper deficiency)
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
