Starch ingestion

Home treatment:

for starch: Contact Poison Control for further information.

for laundry starch:

• If on the skin, remove by washing the area.
• If swallowed. the standard procedure is to induce emesis (vomiting) unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Before inducing emesis, contact Poison Control for verification.

If instructed to induce emesis, standard procedure is as follows:

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for adults. Follow with 1/2 glassful or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8 to 12 oz. of water for adults. Repeat 1 more time in 1/2 hour if emesis has not occurred.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following:

• 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:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. 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 starch:
  • The patient may not need to be seen in an emergency room.
  • Treat the symptoms.

• for laundry starch:
  • Induce vomiting.
  • Administer activated charcoal.
  • Use gastric lavage.
  • Give liquids by mouth.
  • Perform dialysis.
  • Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

for starch: Recovery is very likely.

for laundry starch: There is a high rate of infant deaths from borax poisonings.