Oven cleaners

Alternative names

Corrosive alkalis

Definition

Poisoning from an exposure to an oven cleaner.

Poisonous Ingredient

Corrosive alkalis

Where Found

Some oven cleaners

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
Seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

If the cleaner is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Move the person to fresh air.

If the cleaner was swallowed, give water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, keep giving water or milk. DO NOT TRY TO NEUTRALIZE the alkali by giving vinegar or lemon juice - this may cause more severe burning.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, 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