Mercury is a silvery liquid that is volatile at room temperature because of its high vapour pressure and able to enter the human body via ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through the skin. Chronic mercury poisoning commonly affects the kidneys and the central nervous system. Involvement of the kidneys usually causes nephrotic syndrome. As early as 1818, mercury was identified as a cause of proteinuria in humans. 1 The renal pathology seen in most cases of mercury-induced nephrotic syndrome is membranous nephropathy. 1-6 In the past, mercurial diuretics and mercury-containing ointments prescribed for psoriasis were the main sources of exposure. 2, 7, 8 Skin lightening creams that contain mercury are a more recent source of mercury poisoning. 3, 4, 6, 9 We report the first proven case of minimal change disease caused by exposure to mercurycontaining skin lightening cream.