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Warning-sign checks

Sodium hypochlorite 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

    Call emergency services now if someone has severe trouble breathing, collapses, has a seizure, is difficult to wake, turns blue or grey, or has severe chest or abdominal pain.

    Also seek emergency care for vomiting blood, marked drooling, inability to swallow, a hoarse voice with breathing difficulty, or signs of a deep eye burn.

    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

    Contact a poison information service promptly after any sodium hypochlorite ingestion, exposure to a concentrated product, or exposure caused by mixing cleaners.

    Get urgent assessment for persistent coughing, wheezing, repeated vomiting, worsening pain, blurred vision, or ongoing eye symptoms after rinsing.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    After discharge, arrange routine follow-up as advised.

    Seek an earlier review if swallowing becomes difficult, food begins to stick, weight falls, breathing symptoms persist, or vision changes.

    These can be signs of a healing complication rather than continued poisoning.

The article also says

Move away from fumes before making the call, if you can do so safely.

Do not re-enter a contaminated enclosed space.

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