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Warning-sign checks

Hydrochloric acid 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

    Swallowing hydrochloric acid is an emergency even if symptoms seem mild.

    Contact emergency services and a poison centre immediately.

    Call emergency services now for:

    • Trouble breathing, noisy breathing, blue or grey lips, or severe chest tightness
    • Drooling, inability to swallow, repeated vomiting, or vomiting blood
    • Fainting, confusion, seizure, severe weakness, or collapse
    • Severe chest or abdominal pain
    • A large exposure, concentrated product, or exposure in an enclosed space

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

    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

    Do not wait for pain or vomiting to develop.

    Any hydrochloric acid splash in the eye needs immediate rinsing and urgent medical assessment.

    Significant skin burns also need urgent care, especially if there are blisters, numbness, severe pain, discolouration, or a large affected area.

    After an inhalation exposure, seek urgent advice if coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath develops or worsens.

    Lung symptoms can be delayed.

    Do not wait for a routine appointment if symptoms suddenly worsen.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate for a healing minor burn that has already been assessed, stable symptoms after discharge, or planned checks of swallowing, breathing, vision, or scarring.

The article also says

In the United States, Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

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