Caustic ingestion

Previously popular, primary decontamination with gastric lavage, emetics, whole bowel irrigation and cathartics may not be effective in preventing or delaying enteric absorption of poisons [9-12]. In contrast, multiple-dose oral activated charcoal is an effective method of enteric decontamination for a wide variety of ingestions [13]. However, all enteric decontamination procedures are contraindicated in petroleum distillate and caustic ingestions. 

Cello JP, Fogel RP, and Boland CR (1980) Liquid caustic ingestion spectrum of injury. Archives of Internal Medicine 140 501-504. 

Spitz L and Lakhoo K (1993) Caustic ingestion. Archives of Disease in Childhood 68 157-158. 

Christesen HB. 1995. Prediction of complications following caustic ingestion in adults. Clin Otolaryngol 20(3) 272-278. 

Gastroesophageal Reflux 95 Achalasia 97 Foreign Body Ingestion 98 Caustic Ingestion 100 Esophageal Strictures 101 Esophageal Perforation 102 Epidermolysis Bullosa 104 Infectious and Inflammatory Conditions Esophageal Varices 105... 

Fig. 3.13. a Caustic ingestion gastric obstruction in a 9-year-old after drinking gasoline, b Esophageal stricture after alkaline ingestion in a 2-year-old... 

Gastric perforation beyond infancy in the pediatric population is also rare. It can be seen in cases of iatrogenic trauma (tubes and catheters), after Nissen or other fundoplications in patients with distal small bowel instruction, after caustic ingestion or in patients with blunt trauma to a distended stomach. Gastric rupture can also be seen in patients with perforated peptic ulcer and dermato-... 

Strictures of other aetiology such as radiation or caustic ingestion can be treated in exactly the same way as described above. Complication rates are probably higher and success rates definitely lower. 

Lithium ion is commonly ingested at dosages of 0.5 g/d of lithium carbonate for treatment of bipolar disorders. However, ingestion of higher concentrations (5 g/d of LiCl) can be fatal. As of this writing, lithium ion has not been related to industrial disease. However, lithium hydroxide, either dHectly or formed by hydrolysis of other salts, can cause caustic bums, and skin contact with lithium haHdes can result in skin dehydration. Organolithium compounds are often pyrophoric and requHe special handling (53). 

Acids such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, and especially hydrofluoric as well as strong alkaUes such as caustic soda and caustic potash are extremely corrosive to animal and vegetable tissue. Extreme caution must be taken to prevent skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. Violent reactions may occur when dissolving or diluting many of these chemicals with water. 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Rubber or plastic gloves face shield respirator fire-retardant clothing Symptoms Following Exposure Contact with eyes causes caustic irritation or burn. In contact with skin lithium react with body moisture to cause chemical burns foil, ribbon, and wire react relatively slowly General Treatment for Exposure EYES or SKIN flush with water and treat with boric acid Toxicity by Inhalation (ThresholdUmit Value) Data not available Short-Term Inhalation Limits Data not available Toxicity by Ingestion Data not available Late Toxicity Data not available Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Data not available Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics Data not available Odor Threshold Data not available. 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Dust mask goggles or face shield protective gloves Symptoms Following Exposure Inhalation causes respiratory irritation. Ingest ion causes severe burn of mouth and stomach. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation and caustic bums General Treatment for Exposure INHALATION remove from exposure support... 

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Maximum protective clothing goggles and face shield Symptoms Following Exposure Severe bums caused by burning metal or by caustic soda formed by reaction with moisture on skin General Treatment for Exposure SKIN brush off any metal, then flood with water for at least 15 min. treat as heat or caustic bum call a doctor Toxicity by Inhalation (Ihreshold limit Value) Not pertinent Short-Term Exposure Limits Not pertinent Toxicity by Ingestion Not pertinent Late Toxicity None Vtqtor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Non-volatile Liquid or lid Irritant Characteristics Severe skin irritant. Cause second- and third-degree burns on short contact and is very injurious to the eyes Odor Threshold Not pertinent. 

Oxalic acid is caustic and corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes. Ingestion may cause severe gastroenteritis with vomiting, diarrhea and melana. Renal damage can occur as result of formation of excessive Ca oxalate. Severe poisoning can end fatally. Tolerance,... 

Phloroglucinol (1,3,5-Trihydroxy benzene, 1,3,5-Trioxy-benzol in Ger). C6H3(OH)3,mw 126.11, white to yellowish crysts mp 200—209° when heated slowly 212—217° when heated rapidly bp, sublimes with decompn. SI sol in w, sol in ale and eth. Combustible. Can be prepd by fusion of resorcinol with caustic soda, or by reduction of trinitrobenzene. It is highly toxic. by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption, and is a strong irritant to skin and mucous membranes Refs 1) Beil 6,1092, (545) [1075]... 

Skin Contact Remove victim horn the source immediately decontaminate the skin immediately with copious amounts of water decontaminate clothing with steam or by boiling 20% alcoholic caustic soda is effective on material, but may damage it seek medical attention immediately. Ingestion Give victim milk to drink seek medical attention immediately. 

---