A person with dentures may develop zinc toxicity from overuse of adhesive cream.
Patient selection: person wearing dentures
Risk factors:
(1) use of denture adhesive that contains zinc
(2) exposure over several years
(3) ill-fitting dentures
(4) use of excessive amounts of the adhesive
(5) other source of zinc exposure (OTC antiviral, etc)
Presentation:
(1) anemia
(2) myelodysplastic-like change
(3) neuropathy
(4) abnormal gait
(5) low serum calcium
Many denture adhesives are now formulated as zinc-free.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
