| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Poisoning from an overdose of potassium hydroxide. |
| Alternative Names | |
| Poisonous Ingredient | potassium hydroxide |
| Where Found | cuticle removal products leather tanning chemicals some food preservatives Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | From swallowing: body as a whole severe pain in the mouth collapserespiratorybreathing difficulties due to the throat swelling shut eyes, ears, nose, and throat severe pain in the throat gastrointestinal severe abdominal paindiarrhea heart and blood vessels rapid drop in blood pressure |
| Home Treatment | Seek emergency medical care immediately DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS ( VOMITING ). If the product is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the product is swallowed, give a large amount of water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, keep giving water or milk. |
| 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 | Anyone who ingests or is exposed to potassium hydroxide should seek emergency medical care immediately. 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: For swallowed poison: Give fluids. Activated charcoal. Give an antidote. Treat the symptoms. For inhalation: Treat the symptoms. Oxygen. Intubation (breathing tube). |
| Expectations (prognosis) | The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on how rapidly the alkali was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the alkali was swallowed, and death may occur as long as a month later. |
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