MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Sulfuric acid

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Sulfuric acid

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Treatment Before Calling Emergency What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names

Battery acid

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from an overdose of sulfuric acid.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

sulfuric acid

Where Found Return to top

car battery acid
some toilet bowl cleaners
chemical munitions
some fertilizers

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Initial symptoms would include severe pain on tissue contact and, if swallowed, there may be speech problems, drooling, vomiting, bloody vomit, abdominal pain, or burns on the mouth and throat.

From swallowing:

body as a whole
- severe pain in the mouth
- fever
respiratory
- breathing difficulty due to throat swelling
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- severe pain in the throat
gastrointestinal
- severe abdominal pain
- vomit containing dark colored blood
heart and blood vessels
- rapid development of low blood pressure

From inhalation:

body as a whole
- weakness
- chest pain (tightness)
respiratory
- coughing
- breathing difficulty (sensation of not getting enough air)
- shortness of breath
- coughing up blood
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- choking
skin
- bluish skin, lips, and fingernails
heart and blood vessels
- low blood pressure
- rapid pulse
nervous system:
- dizziness

Home Treatment Return to top

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

Seek emergency medical care immediately.

If on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If swallowed, drink water or milk IMMEDIATELY. Give 4-7 oz. milk of magnesia, if on hand. (If the patient is vomiting or appears altered, DO NOT give liquids.)

For inhalation poisoning, remove the patient to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed
Call 911, Poison Control, or the local emergency number:

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

For swallowed poison:
- Give fluids.
- Give milk of magnesia.
- Treat the symptoms.
- Antibiotics.
- Surgical repair if indicated.
For inhalation:
- Treat the symptoms.
- Intubation (breathing tube).

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the extent of this damage and how rapidly the acid was diluted and neutralized. Ingestion may be fatal.

Update Date: 1/29/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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