Acrodynia

/ækroʊˈdɪniə/ noun

Definition

A painful condition affecting the hands and feet, causing burning sensations, discoloration, and sometimes skin loss, historically caused by mercury poisoning.

Etymology

From Greek 'akron' (tip) + 'odyne' (pain). Documented in medical literature since the 1800s as a recognized syndrome of extremity pain and discoloration.

Kelly Says

Acrodynia was a horrifying disease in the early 1900s among teething infants—some mothers applied mercury-laced cream to their babies' gums as a 'cure,' unwittingly poisoning them and causing this agonizing condition.

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