Automatic dishwasher soap - poison... Health Article

Definition

Automatic dishwasher soap poisoning refers to illness that occurs when you eat or swallow soap used in automatic dishwashers, such as those found in homes.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

Automatic dishwasher products contain various soaps. Potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate are the most common.

Where Found

• Automatic dishwasher soaps

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Severe pain in the throat
  • Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
  • Loss of vision
  • Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
• Heart and blood
  • Low blood pressure -- develops rapidly
  • Collapse
  • Severe change in blood acid levels, which can lead to organ damage
• Lungs
  • Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
• Skin
  • Irritation
  • Burns
  • Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
• Stomach and intestines
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
  • Vomiting blood
  • Blood in the stool

Home Treatment

Seek immediate emergency medical help. DO NOT make the person throw up.

If the soap is in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the soap was swallowed, have the patient immediately drink water or milk.

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

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 United States 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: Poison control center - emergency number