Anagen Effluvium Due to Thallium Poisoning from Chinese Herbal Medicine and Rodenticide Containing Thallium Salts
June 2015
in “
Journal of dermatology
”
TLDR A woman and her daughter had thallium poisoning from a herbal drink and rodenticide, causing hair loss and other symptoms.
A 39-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter from Pakistan experienced symptoms of thallium poisoning, including sudden hair loss and gastrointestinal issues, due to the intake of a herbal beverage and rodenticide containing thallium salts. The diagnosis was confirmed through the examination of dystrophic anagen hair with black pigmentation and dark transverse bands. Thallium poisoning, which has a 6-15% mortality rate, presents with neurological, digestive, and dermatological symptoms, and early microscopic examination of hair follicles is essential for diagnosis.
