Sodium carbonate poisoning

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Sodium carbonate poisoning

Alternative Names:

Sal soda; Soda ash; Disodium salt; Caronic acid; Washing soda

Home Treatment:

DO NOT make the person throw up.

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 ONE GLASS of water or milk. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

If the person breathed in the chemical, immediately move him or her to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency:

If readily available, 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:

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called 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. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to expect at the emergency room:

For swallowed poison

Give fluids
Give an antidote
Treat the symptoms
X-rays of chest and abdomen
Endoscopy

For inhaled poison

Treat the symptoms
Give supplemental oxygen

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a patient does depends on how fast the poison is diluted and neutralized.

Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage may continue to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several days after the poison was swallowed. Further complications or death may occur on a delayed basis.

Review Date: 3/2/2006
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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