What are the symptoms of bleach poisoning (even for very small amounts)?

Question

Also, if i clean a mirror with bleach, and then don't wipe it or anything, could it harm me if some of that bleach comes in contact with something and then i swallow this something (what ever it is)?? or is the bleach already dried up (after a few days) ?

Answer 1

Bleach; Clorox; Carrel-Dakin solution

Definition    Return to top

Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical commonly found in bleach, water purifiers, and cleaning products.

Swallowing sodium hypochlorite can lead to poisoning. Breathing sodium hypochlorite fumes may also cause poisoning, especially if the product is mixed with ammonia.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

Sodium hypochlorite

Where Found    Return to top

Chemical used to add chlorine to swimming pools

Some bleaching solutions

Disinfectants

Water purifiers

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms    Return to top

Watered-down (diluted) sodium hypochlorite generally causes only mild stomach irritation. Swallowing larger amounts can cause more serious symptoms.

NEVER mix ammonia with sodium hypochlorite (bleach or bleach-containing products). This common household error produces a toxic gas that can cause choking and serious breathing problems.  

Symptoms of sodium hypochlorite poisoning may include:

Body as a whole

Pain in the mouth

Possible burns on esophagus

Respiratory

Coughing (from the fumes)

Possible aspiration into lungs

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

Pain in the throat

Burning, red eyes

Gagging sensation

Skin

Irritation of the exposed area

Burns

Blistering

Gastrointestinal

Stomach or abdominal pain

Vomiting

Heart and blood vessels

Low blood pressure

Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)

Chest pain

Shock

Nervous system

Delirium

Coma

Home Care    Return to top

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

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, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her 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 (ingredients and strengths if known)

The time it was swallowed

The amount swallowed

Poison Control    Return to top

If you suspect possible poisoning, seek emergency medical care immediately.

For poison control, call 1-800-222-1222 from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number.

Take any containers with you to the emergency room, if possible.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room    Return to top

The person will be admitted to a hospital. The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

Specific treatment depends on how the poisoning occured.

For swallowed poison:

A tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach

Fluids by IV

Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison

For inhaled poison, treatment may include:

Breathing tube

Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs

Oxygen

For skin exposure, treatment may include:

Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days

Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)

Transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Swallowing , smelling, or touching household bleach will likely not cause any significant problems. However, more severe problems can occur with industrial strength bleach, or mixing bleach with ammonia.

How well a patient does depends on how rapidly the sodium hypochlorite was diluted and neutralized. There is a good chance of recovery if proper treatment is given soon after the poison was swallowed. Without prompt treatment, extensive damage to the mouth, throat, eyes, lungs, esophagus, nose, and stomach are possible, depending on how exposure occurred.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/...