MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hydrochloric acid

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Hydrochloric acid

Contents of this page:
Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms Home Treatment	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Definition

Poisoning due to exposure to hydrochloric acid.

Poisonous Ingredient

Hydrochloric acid

Where Found

It is found in some soldering fluxes. It may also be found in other products.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms of hydrochloric acid poisoning may include pain in the mouth and under the breastbone, or persistent drooling. Hoarseness and stridor (harsh sound in breathing caused by air passing through constricted air passages) may indicate injury to the larynx, epiglottis, or throat.

Symptoms from swallowing hydrochloric acid:

Severe pain in the mouth
Fever
Difficulty with or inability to breathe due to swelling of the throat
Severe pain in the throat
Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting blood (dark colored)
Rapid drop in blood pressure

Symptoms from inhaling hydrochloric acid:

Home Treatment

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have been exposed to hydrochloric acid and are experiencing symptoms.

DO NOT INDUCE 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 4 to 6 oz of milk of magnesia if on hand .

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)
When it was swallowed or inhaled
How much was swallowed or inhaled

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

For any ingestion or exposure, seek emergency medical care immediately. See poison control centers for the national telephone number. Take any containers with you to the emergency room, if possible.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

For swallowed poison:

Fluids may be given.
Milk of magnesia may be given.
Other symptoms will be treated.

For inhaled poison:

Breathing tube may be inserted.
Oxygen may be administered.
Other symptoms will be treated.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the amount and method of acid exposure. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Drinking or inhaling hydrochloric acid may be fatal.

Update Date: 5/12/2003

Updated by: Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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