Potassium hydroxide

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of potassium hydroxide.

Poisonous Ingredient:

potassium hydroxide

Where Found:

cuticle removal products
leather tanning chemicals
some food preservatives

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

From swallowing:

body as a whole
- severe pain in the mouth
- collapse
respiratory
- breathing difficulties due to the throat swelling shut
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- severe pain in the throat
gastrointestinal
- severe abdominal pain
- diarrhea
heart and blood vessels
- rapid drop in blood pressure

Home Treatment:

Seek emergency medical care immediately

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING).

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

If the product is swallowed, give a large amount of water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, keep giving water or milk.

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:

Anyone who ingests or is exposed to potassium hydroxide should seek emergency medical care immediately. 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.
- Activated charcoal.
- Give an antidote.
- Treat the symptoms.
For inhalation:
- Treat the symptoms.
- Oxygen.
- Intubation (breathing tube).

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on 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 continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the alkali was swallowed, and death may occur as long as a month later.

Review Date: 2/11/2001
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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