Bleach

Definition

This poisoning is due to an exposure to powdered or liquid bleach.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Sodium hypochlorite

Where Found

• Household bleaches
• Other cleaning products

Symptoms

• Respiratory o Breathing difficulty (from inhalation) o Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat o Severe pain in the throat o Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue o Loss of vision
• Gastrointestinal o Severe abdominal pain o Vomiting o Burns of the esophagus (food pipe) o Vomiting blood o Blood in the stool
• Heart and blood vessels o Hypotension (low blood pressure) develops rapidly o Collapse
• Skin o Irritation o Burn o Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
• Blood o Severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, which leads to damage in all of the body organs)

Home Treatment

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If bleach is on the skin, wash with lots of water. If bleach is swallowed, give milk or water and seek emergency medical care immediately.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  
• The time it was swallowed
  
• The amount swallowed
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• For swallowed poison
  o Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach
  o Activated charcoal administration
  o Endoscopy - the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach.
  o Give IV fluids
  o Admission to the hospital
  o Give an antidote
  o Treat the symptoms