Methemoglobinemia without hemolytic anemia following exposure to naphthalene moth balls

Abstract

Mothballs are commonly used household product that contain an aromatic hydrocarbon named naphthalene. On systemic exposure it causes oxidant injury to hemoglobin molecules resulting in oxidized forms of hemoglobin like methaemoglobin and further hemoglobinuria. Most commonly naphthalene poisoning cases present as hemolytic anaemia with hemoglobinuria and methemoglobinemia following oral ingestion of moth balls. Here we are reporting an unusual case of methemoglobinemia without hemolytic anaemia following absorption of the aromatic hydrocarbon from skin after application of powdered mothballs mixed with coconut oil.

Keywords

• methemoglobinemia
• naphthalene
• cyanosis
• hemolytic anaemia