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Warning-sign checks

Potassium hydroxide poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services or a poison centre immediately if potassium hydroxide has been swallowed or has entered an eye.

    Also get emergency help for breathing difficulty, noisy breathing, severe chest or abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, collapse, confusion, extensive skin burns, or inability to swallow saliva.

    Elsewhere, contact your local poison information centre or emergency service.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Begin rinsing an exposed eye or skin immediately while help is being arranged.

    Do not delay irrigation to search for instructions.

    Protect yourself from contact with the chemical.

    After discharge, seek urgent reassessment for worsening swallowing difficulty, food becoming stuck, new breathing problems, fever with chest or abdominal pain, black stools, vomiting blood, or increasing eye pain or loss of vision.

    Report these symptoms promptly rather than waiting until a scheduled appointment if they are getting worse.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for ongoing mild swallowing discomfort, poor appetite, weight change, persistent hoarseness, wound healing concerns, or problems returning to usual activities.

The article also says

In the United States, Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 .

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Potassium hydroxide poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.