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Warning-sign checks

Drain cleaner 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

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

    Call emergency services now if there is:

    • Trouble breathing, noisy breathing, blue or grey lips, or collapse
    • Severe chest or abdominal pain
    • Inability to swallow, heavy drooling or repeated vomiting
    • Vomiting blood
    • Confusion, unusual drowsiness or a seizure
    • A large exposure or an intentional ingestion

    These symptoms do not always require an ambulance unless breathing is affected or the person is severely unwell.

    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

    Treat any possible swallowing of drain cleaner as urgent.

    In the United States, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 .

    Do not wait for symptoms.

    Eye exposure needs immediate rinsing and urgent expert advice, especially if pain, blurred vision or redness continues.

    Significant skin burns, blistering or ongoing pain also require urgent assessment.

    After initial treatment, contact the treating service promptly for increasing pain, fever, vomiting, weight loss, food sticking or new difficulty swallowing.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up may include checking nutrition, swallowing and healing after an internal burn.

    Keep appointments even if symptoms improve.

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