MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Sodium bisulfate

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Sodium bisulfate

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 from an overdose of sodium bisulfate.

Poisonous Ingredient

Sodium bisulfate

Where Found

Leather tanning agents
Photographic reducing agents
Some food preservatives

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

If sodium bisulfate was swallowed:
- Burning pain in the mouth
- Diarrhea
- Asphyxiation (death due to inability to breathe) from swelling in the throat
- Brown discoloration around the mouth
- Vomiting
- Severe low blood pressure
If poisoning results from skin contact:
- Pain in the area of skin contact
- Brownish stains in the area where the acid contacted the skin

Home Treatment

Seek emergency medical care immediately. If the chemical was swallowed: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give water or milk as soon as possible to dilute the acid. If the patient is vomiting, keep administering fluids (water or milk). It is very important to dilute the acid to minimize damage to the tissues.

If skin contact is involved: Wash the area thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Remove any clothes containing the acid, washing the area beneath the clothes.

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

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:

Diluting the acid.
Giving activated charcoal.
Giving milk of magnesia (if the acid was swallowed).
Treating the other symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

Damage to the esophagus may occur as late as 2 to 3 weeks after ingestion. Death may occur up to 1 month after ingestion. Those who recover may suffer from constrictions in the pyloric region of the stomach or in the esophagus.

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.

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.