Detergents

Home treatment:

For cationic detergents DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS. IMMEDIATE CARE IS NECESSARY. Give milk. Cationic detergents are much more toxic than anionic detergents.

For anionic detergents give milk or water. Anionic detergents are normally considered relatively nontoxic. Call Poison Control for further guidance.

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

Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult. Follow with 1/2 glass 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 information:

• 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 anionic:

• Give fluids.
• Treat the symptoms.

for cationic:

• Establish and maintain the patient's airway.
• Give milk.
• Administer activated charcoal.
• Administer a cathartic (bowel evacuator)
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

For anionic detergents: Since these products are relatively nontoxic, recovery is very likely.

For cationic detergents: Recovery is likely if the patient survives the first 48 hours.