Sodium borate overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of sodium borate (borax).

Alternative Names:

Borax; Borates

Poisonous Ingredient:

Sodium borate

Where Found:

Antiseptics and astringents
Medicated powders
Skin lotions
Some rodent and ant pesticides
Photographic agents
Some paints
Enamels and glazes
In making glass fibers

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Body as a whole
- Fever
- Twitching of facial muscles
- Twitching of arms, hands, legs, feet
- Convulsions
- Significantly decreased urine output (or none)
- Collapse
Skin
- Blisters
- Red rash on buttocks and scrotum in males
- Sloughing of skin
Gastrointestinal
- Vomiting--often blue-green in color
- Diarrhea--mucous, blood
Heart and blood vessels
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Drowsiness
- Lack of desire to do anything
- Coma

Home Treatment:

If the chemical is on the skin, remove by washing the area thoroughly.

If the chemical was swallowed: The normal treatment is to induce emesis (vomiting) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions however, before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment.

If instructed to induce emesis, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult.
Follow with 1/2 glass or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults.
Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

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:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. 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:

Induce vomiting.
Administer activated charcoal.
Use gastric lavage.
Give liquids by mouth.
Administer dialysis.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

For infants, the death rate from boric acid poisonings is high.

Review Date: 12/10/2001
Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.

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