Dyes - cloth
Key points
- Most common household cloth dyes are made from non-toxic pigments, salts, and mild soaps.
- The only dangerous ingredient that may be found in a cloth dye would be a detergent, or a corrosive alkali.
- Home Treatment If you are concerned about a detergent ingestion, seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Poison Control, or a local emergency number See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.
Definition
Most common household cloth dyes are made from non-toxic pigments, salts, and mild soaps. While these substances should not be ingested liberally by small children, they are generally considered non-toxic.
Poisonous Ingredient
The only dangerous ingredient that may be found in a cloth dye would be a detergent, or a corrosive alkali. However, it is rare to find a toxic ingredient in most household cloth dyes.
Where Found
some cloth dyes
Symptoms
If there is a corrosive alkali (detergent) ingestion:
- 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
If you are concerned about a detergent ingestion, seek emergency medical care immediately. The standard procedure is to dilute with water or milk unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Do not induce vomiting.
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
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.