MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Sodium carbonate

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Sodium carbonate

Contents of this page:
Definition 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

This poisoning is from an overdose of sodium carbonate.

Where Found

Automatic dishwashing soaps
Some antacids
Some bleaches
Some bubble bath solutions
Clinitest tablets
Some steam iron cleaners

Note: This list is not all inclusive.

Symptoms

Body as a whole
- Severe pain in the mouth, throat, chest, or abdomen
- Shock
- Collapse
Respiratory
- Breathing difficulty, due to throat swelling
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Severe pain in the throat
- Hoarseness
- Drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
Gastrointestinal
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting
Heart and blood vessels
- Low blood pressure may develop rapidly

Home Treatment

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

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

If the chemical was swallowed, give ONE GLASS of water or milk IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT give water of milk if the patient is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

Before Calling Emergency

If readily available, 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

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. 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 an antidote
- Treat the symptoms
- Chest and/or abdominal X-rays
For inhaled poison
- Treat the symptoms
- Give supplemental oxygen

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis (probable outcome) will be dependent on the corrosive potential of the product ingested, as well as how rapidly the alkali was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible.

The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage may continue to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several days after the alkali was swallowed, and further complications or death may occur on a delayed basis.

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.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.