Question 1

What is Acrodynia (Pink Disease)?

Accepted Answer

Acrodynia, also known as pink disease, is a rare condition characterized by painful pink discoloration of the hands and feet, primarily affecting children. It is caused by mercury poisoning, which affects the nervous system and leads to distinctive symptoms including irritability, sweating, and sensitivity to light. The Heavy Metals Panel, Random Urine is the most important test for diagnosis because it directly measures mercury levels and confirms mercury toxicity.

Question 2

What causes acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

Acrodynia is caused by mercury poisoning, which occurs when children are exposed to toxic levels of mercury through contaminated products, medications, or environmental sources. Mercury is a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system and blood vessels, leading to the characteristic pink discoloration of extremities, along with pain, excessive sweating, irritability, and sensitivity to light. Historically, this condition was common when mercury was used in teething powders and other children's products, but cases today are rare and typically result from accidental exposure to mercury-containing items like broken thermometers or certain traditional remedies.

Question 3

What is the best test for acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

The Heavy Metals Panel, Random Urine is the most important test for acrodynia because it directly measures mercury levels in the body and confirms mercury poisoning as the cause of symptoms. This comprehensive test detects not only mercury but also other heavy metals that may contribute to toxicity, providing a complete picture of metal exposure. Elevated mercury levels in urine definitively confirm the diagnosis and help determine the severity of poisoning, which is crucial for guiding treatment decisions. The test requires only a random urine sample, making it practical and non-invasive, especially for children who are the primary population affected by this condition.

Question 4

When should I get tested for acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if your child develops pink or red discoloration of the hands, feet, or nose along with unusual irritability, excessive sweating (especially on the palms and soles), sensitivity to light, or unexplained pain in the extremities. Testing is also urgent if you know your child has been exposed to mercury through broken thermometers, traditional remedies, contaminated fish consumption, or other mercury-containing products. Early detection through urine testing is critical because prompt removal from mercury exposure and appropriate treatment can prevent serious long-term neurological complications and support full recovery.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

Acrodynia symptoms include painful pink or reddish discoloration of the hands, feet, cheeks, and nose, along with profuse sweating especially on the palms and soles. Children with this condition often display extreme irritability, photophobia (sensitivity to light), muscle weakness, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Additional symptoms include peeling skin on the affected areas, cold and clammy extremities, tooth loss, loss of appetite, insomnia, and developmental regression. Some children may also experience numbness or tingling in their hands and feet, and in severe cases, kidney problems or neurological complications can develop if mercury exposure continues untreated.

Question 6

Who is at risk for acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

Children, particularly infants and toddlers under age 3, are at highest risk for acrodynia because their developing nervous systems are more vulnerable to mercury toxicity. Kids who have been exposed to mercury through broken thermometers, mercury-containing traditional medicines, contaminated cosmetic products, or regular consumption of mercury-laden fish are particularly susceptible. Children living in homes with old mercury-containing items, those in areas with mercury-contaminated water or soil, and kids whose parents work with mercury in their occupations face elevated risk. While acrodynia is extremely rare today due to the removal of mercury from most consumer products, awareness remains important for preventing accidental exposures.

Question 7

What happens if acrodynia (pink disease) is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated acrodynia can lead to severe and potentially permanent neurological damage, including cognitive impairment, developmental delays, and motor skill problems that persist into adulthood. Continued mercury exposure may cause kidney damage, cardiovascular complications including persistent high blood pressure, and chronic pain syndromes. In severe cases, untreated mercury poisoning can result in seizures, vision problems, hearing loss, and in extremely rare instances, can be life-threatening. The longer mercury exposure continues without intervention, the greater the risk of irreversible damage to the nervous system, making early diagnosis through urine testing and immediate removal from mercury sources absolutely critical for protecting long-term health and development.

Question 8

Can acrodynia (pink disease) be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

While blood tests can detect mercury, urine testing is actually more accurate and preferred for diagnosing acrodynia because mercury is rapidly cleared from blood into urine and other tissues. The Heavy Metals Panel, Random Urine provides a more reliable measurement of mercury exposure and body burden than blood tests, especially for chronic or ongoing exposure which is typical in acrodynia cases. Urine testing reflects mercury levels over a longer period and better correlates with the total body burden of mercury, making it the gold standard for diagnosis. Additionally, urine collection is simpler and less invasive than blood draws, which is particularly important when testing young children who are the primary population affected by this condition.

Question 9

How is acrodynia (pink disease) treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for acrodynia begins with immediate removal of the child from any sources of mercury exposure and elimination of mercury-containing products from the environment. Chelation therapy, which uses medications like dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or dimercaprol (BAL) to bind mercury and help the body eliminate it through urine, is the primary medical treatment for moderate to severe cases. Supportive care includes managing symptoms with pain relief, keeping the child in a quiet, dimly-lit environment to reduce light sensitivity, ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration, and monitoring kidney and cardiovascular function. Most children show significant improvement within weeks to months after mercury exposure stops and chelation therapy is completed, though some symptoms may take longer to fully resolve depending on the severity and duration of exposure.

Question 10

How can I prevent acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

Prevention focuses on eliminating mercury exposure by removing mercury-containing thermometers and replacing them with digital alternatives, avoiding traditional or imported remedies that may contain mercury, and checking cosmetic products for mercury contamination. Limit your child's consumption of high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, and choose low-mercury options like salmon, tilapia, and shrimp instead. If a mercury thermometer or fluorescent bulb breaks in your home, follow EPA guidelines for safe cleanup, ventilate the area well, and keep children away from the contamination. Store any remaining mercury-containing items safely out of children's reach, educate family members about mercury dangers, and be cautious with imported products or traditional medicines that may not meet safety standards.

Question 11

What can I do at home for acrodynia (pink disease)?

Accepted Answer

While medical treatment is essential for acrodynia, at home you can support recovery by creating a calm, low-stimulation environment with dimmed lighting to help with light sensitivity, and keeping rooms cool since affected children often have difficulty regulating body temperature. Apply gentle moisturizing creams to peeling or irritated skin, dress your child in soft, loose-fitting cotton clothing to minimize discomfort, and offer frequent small meals of nutritious foods to support healing even if appetite is poor. Ensure your child drinks plenty of water to help flush toxins from the body and support kidney function during chelation therapy. Provide quiet activities and extra comfort during this stressful time, and follow all medical recommendations closely while monitoring for any worsening symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
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            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
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            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
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            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Acrodynia (Pink Disease) Blood Test

What is Acrodynia (Pink Disease)?

What causes acrodynia (pink disease)?

What is the best test for acrodynia (pink disease)?

When should I get tested for acrodynia (pink disease)?

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