| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Poisoning due to an overdose of hydrochloric acid. |
| Alternative Names | |
| Poisonous Ingredient | hydrochloric acid |
| Where Found | some soldering fluxes Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | Initial symptoms may include pain in the mouth and under the breastbone, and/or persistent salivation. Hoarseness and stridor (harsh sound in breathing caused by air passing through constricted air passages) may indicate injury to the larynx, epiglottis, or throat. From swallowing: body as a whole severe pain in the mouth feverrespiratoryinability to breath because the throat swell shut eyes, ears, nose, and throat severe pain in the throat gastrointestinal severe abdominal painvomiting blood (dark colored) heart and blood vessels rapid drop in blood pressure From inhalation: body as a whole weaknesstight chest respiratory coughinga feeling one cannot get enough airshortness of breathcoughing up blood eyes, ears, nose, and throat choking skin bluish colored lips and fingernails heart and blood vessels low blood pressurerapid pulse nervous system dizziness |
| Home Treatment | Seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS ( VOMITING ). If the acid is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the acid was swallowed, give lots of water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the person is vomiting, keep giving water or milk. Give milk of magnesia if on hand 4 to 6 oz. For inhalation poisoning, transport the person to an area of fresh air. |
| 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 | For any ingestion or exposure, seek emergency medical care immediately. 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: Give fluids. Give milk of magnesia. Treat the symptoms. Activated charcoal For inhalation: Intubation (breathing tube) Oxygen Treat the symptoms. |
| Expectations (prognosis) | The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on how rapidly the acid was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Ingestion or inhalation may be fatal. |
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