Definition
This is poisoning from swallowing cuticle remover.
Poisonous Ingredient
- Potassium hydroxide
- Sodium hydroxide
Where Found
- Various cuticle removers
Symptoms
- Severe pain in the mouth
- Collapse
- Inability to breath because the throat swells shut
- Severe pain in the throat
- Severe abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Rapid drop in blood pressure
Home Treatment
DO NOT make the person throw up.
If the poison has been swallowed, immediately drink water or milk. If it touched the skin or eyes, flush the area with a lot of water for at least 15 minutes.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
See National Poison Control center.
What to expect at the emergency room
The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
The patient may receive:
- Fluids
- Medicine to treat symptoms
- Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
Expectations (prognosis)
How well a patient does depends on how rapidly the poison was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible from this type of poisoning, but not likely. The ultimate outcome depends on the amount of this damage.
Damage can continue to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the poison was swallowed. In severe cases, death may occur up to 1 month later.
Reviewed By: Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
