Dry cell batteries

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Dry cell batteries

Alternative Names:

Batteries - dry cell

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary depending on what type of battery is ingested (acidic or alkaline).

Symptoms of acidic dry cell battery poisoning include:

Decreased mental ability
Irritation or burns in the mouth
Muscle cramps
Slurred speech
Swelling of the lower legs, ankles, or feet
Weakness
Nervous system
Spastic walk
Spasticity
Tremor

Symptoms that can result from inhaling large amounts of the acidic battery, or contents, dust, and smoke from burning batteries include:

Decreased mental ability
Difficulty sleeping
Muscle cramps
Slurred speech
Weakness in the legs
Bronchitis
Headache
Pneumonia
Itching skin
Nervous system
Numbness of the fingers or toes
Spastic walk

Symptoms of alkaline battery poisoning may include:

Severe pain in the mouth
Collapse
Inability to breathe due to the throat swelling shut
Severe pain in the throat
Severe abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Drooling
Rapid drop in blood pressure

Review Date: 5/10/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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