Sodium hydroxide

Alternative names

Lye

Definition

This poisoning is from an overdose of sodium hydroxide.

Poisonous Ingredient

Sodium hydroxide

Where Found

• Many industrial solvents and cleaners (hundreds to thousands of construction agents, flooring strippers, brick cleaners, cements, and many others)
  
• Some aquarium products
  
• Some drain cleaners
  
• Some oven cleaners
  
• Clinitest
  
• Some hair straighteners
  
• Lye
  
• Some metal polishes
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

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 the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, give water or milk IMMEDIATELY. However, DO NOT give liquids if the patient is vomiting or mental status appears altered.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

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