Zeitschrift für klinische Toxikologie
Offener Zugang
ISSN: 2161-0495
ISSN: 2161-0495
Ngoc Thanh Cao, Thuy Hong Tran, Nguyen Khoi Huynh, Ngat Thi Nguyen, ML Wu
Background: Arsenic poisoning from repeated exposure to burning herbal products containing realgar has not been
reported in the literature. We report a case of arsenic poisoning from repeated exposure to burning traditional
Chinese herbal products containing realgar for more than one year.
Case details: A 39-year-old male developed intermittent fever, loss of appetite, hair loss and bluish discoloration of
the trunk and limbs one year before admission, followed by diffuse thickening of soles and palms and gradually
worsened tingling and numbness of distal parts of limbs and weakness of extremities over the course of the year prior
to hospital admission. Characteristic clinical presentation of arsenic poisoning included hyperpigmentation, spotty
raindrop pigmentation, Mees’ lines and high arsenic levels in the blood, urine and hair confirmed the diagnosis.
Patient’s signs and symptoms significantly improved following termination of arsenic exposure and treatment.
Conclusion: Inhalation of pyrolyzed herbal products containing realgar resulted in arsenic poisoning. Our patient
showed significant clinical improvement following termination of arsenic exposure and treatment. The adverse health
effects of burning herbal products containing realgar are a serious public health issue.