Home /

Quick Facts: Injuries and Poisoning /

Poisoning /

... /

Caustic Substance Poisoning /

What is caustic substance poisoning?

What are the symptoms of caustic substance poisoning?

How can doctors tell if I have caustic substance poisoning?

How do doctors treat caustic substance poisoning?

Poisoning

Overview of Poisoning

Acetaminophen Poisoning

Aspirin Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Caustic Substance Poisoning

Hydrocarbon Poisoning

Insecticide Poisoning

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Most of the body’s iron is found in hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that enables the cells to supply oxygen to all the body’s tissues. Iron also plays a role in muscle cell function and the formation of some enzymes. While iron is found in many foods, it may or may not be easily absorbed depending on the type of iron. Which of the following foods contains the more easily absorbed type of iron?

Bananas
Pumpkin seeds
Red meat
Spinach

Caustic Substance Poisoning

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Oct 2019| Content last modified Oct 2019

Click here for the Professional Version

Get the full details

Caustic substances are chemicals that cause burns.

Caustic substance poisoning happens when you swallow a chemical that burns you. The burn can be to your lips, mouth, throat, stomach, or esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.

This type of burn may scar or create holes (perforations). This can lead to severe, life-threatening infections.

Drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and some dishwasher detergents contain caustic substances
Young children may swallow caustic substances accidentally
Caustic substances can be liquid or solid

If you or someone else may have swallowed a caustic substance, call for emergency medical assistance (911 in most areas of the United States).

Symptoms include:

Severe mouth and throat pain right away, especially when you swallow
Drooling
Coughing
Trouble swallowing
Throwing up (or throwing up blood)
Trouble breathing

If the caustic substance is strong or burns a hole in your esophagus or stomach, you may also feel:

Severe pain in your chest
Fast heartbeat
Fast breathing
Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Severe stomach pain
Shock (dangerously low blood pressure)

Severe poisoning can kill you.

If your esophagus becomes damaged, you're more likely to someday develop cancer of the esophagus.

Doctors will check your mouth for chemical burns. They may also look down your throat with an endoscope (a flexible viewing tube).

If you have mild burns, doctors will:

Tell you to drink milk or water
Give you IV fluids (into your vein)
Give you medicine to stop infection

If you have severe burns, doctors will:

Do surgery to take out damaged tissue
Repair any holes in your esophagus or stomach
Give you medicine to stop infection
Do surgery to widen or rebuild your esophagus, if needed

Don't try to throw up a caustic substance. Throwing it up causes as much damage as swallowing it.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

Click here for the Professional Version

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Was This Page Helpful?

Hydrocarbon Poisoning

Poisoning

Overview of Poisoning

Acetaminophen Poisoning

Aspirin Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Caustic Substance Poisoning

Hydrocarbon Poisoning

Insecticide Poisoning

Caustic Substances Poisoning

Overview of Poisoning

Chemical Burns

Most of the body’s iron is found in hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that enables the cells to supply oxygen to all the body’s tissues. Iron also plays a role in muscle cell function and the formation of some enzymes. While iron is found in many foods, it may or may not be easily absorbed depending on the type of iron. Which of the following foods contains the more easily absorbed type of iron?

Bananas
Pumpkin seeds
Red meat
Spinach

Merck and the Merck Manuals

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Merck Manual was first published in 1899 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Manual outside of North America. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

TOP