Lead poisoning after ingestion of home-made Chinese medicines.
A young woman presented with non-specific generalized musculoskeletal pain. Investigations revealed anaemia, raised reticulocyte count, basophilic stippling and erythroid hyperplasia of the bone marrow. Further history showed that she had been taking home-made Chinese medicines for acne for two months and the blood lead level confirmed the diagnosis of lead poisoning. The medications were stopped and her condition gradually improved. Incorporating the use of herbal medicines into the routine medical history is important in early identification of herbal poisoning.
Accident & Emergency Department, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong. jhtfung@netvigator.com
Hin Tat
HT
Fung
Chi Wah
CW
Fung
Chak Wah
CW
Kam
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal