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Aquarium products

Home treatment:

For sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, copper sulfate, potassium permanganate:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING). If the product is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the product was swallowed, have the person drink water or milk IMMEDIATELY. If the patient is vomiting, keep giving water or milk.

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 sodium chloride:

  • For copper sulfate:
    • Give fluids.
    • Give an antidote.
    • Treat the symptoms.

  • For sodium hydroxide:
    • for swallowed poison
      • Give fluids.
      • Treat the symptoms.

    • for inhaled poison
      • Treat the symptoms.

  • For potassium permanganate:

Expectations (prognosis):

For sodium chloride: Deaths have occurred.

For cooper sulfate: If symptoms are mild after 6 hours, recovery will probably occur. Deaths have occurred up to a week after swallowing the poison.

For sodium hydroxide: The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on how rapidly the alkali was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome will be dependent on the extent of this damage. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the alkali was swallowed. Deaths have occurred when initial symptoms were very serious.

For potassium permanganate: Deaths have occurred when initial symptoms were very serious.


Adam

The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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