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Warning-sign checks

Steam iron 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

    Call emergency services now if the person has:

    • Trouble breathing, noisy breathing, or swelling of the throat
    • Severe chest or abdominal pain
    • Drooling or inability to swallow
    • Repeated vomiting or blood in vomit
    • Confusion, collapse, a seizure, or reduced consciousness
    • Severe eye pain, loss of vision, or a large corrosive splash

    Begin first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you are trained and emergency services instruct you to do so.

    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

    Call a poison centre promptly after any suspected swallowing of steam iron cleaner, even if there are no symptoms.

    Also seek advice after a significant eye, skin, or inhalation exposure.

    Have the product container available, but do not put yourself at risk to retrieve it.

    Contact the treating service promptly if swallowing becomes harder, food sticks, vomiting returns, weight is being lost, or chest or abdominal pain develops.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up may be needed after a significant corrosive exposure, even after discharge from hospital.

The article also says

If the person is unconscious, having a seizure, or struggling to breathe, do not give anything by mouth.

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