Bleach is a common household product that can be used for laundry, cleaning, and various other tasks around the house or business, and as with any other type of cleaning product, bleach poisoning can occur from inhaling or swallowing the chemicals and fumes within it. There are many symptoms that can indicate bleach poisoning, ranging from respiratory problems to nausea. Ingesting or inhaling bleach can cause basic rashes to more severe breathing problems, as well as permanent damage to the interior organs and throat and stomach linings. If bleach poisoning is suspected, check for the common symptoms and never induce vomiting; rather, seek professional medical advice immediately.
When the fumes produced from bleach are inhaled, numerous symptoms can be seen in the person, while others will be internal and cannot be seen, but they can be noticed through various other problems that will present themselves. When checking for this type of bleach poisoning, begin with the respiratory system. Inhalation of vast amounts of bleach fumes can cause respiratory difficulties, along with coughing and wheezing. Smaller amounts can also cause dryness of the eyes, rashes on the skin because it absorbs through the follicles, watery eyes, chest pains, and even a shortness of breath. If a person has been around bleach, especially when cleaning with it, the above symptoms will show that bleach poisoning may be present.
Swallowing this cleaning chemical is not as prevalent of a problem as inhaling it is, but it does still happen, especially in small children when safety precautions are not taken. Some of the most common symptoms associated with ingesting bleach, which is a good sign that bleach poisoning exists, are a dry throat that becomes very irritated and sore, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, and slurred speech along with a loss of comprehension. The more bleach that is swallowed, the more prevalent and serious the side effects will be.
In either case, whether ingested or inhaled, bleach poisoning can cause permanent damage within the body. It is a chemical, so with prolonged contact the throat and stomach lining can be eaten away, and the esophagus and lungs can become scarred from the burns. The respiratory tract, as well as the intestinal tract, can be damaged to the point of becoming life-threatening.
When bleach poisoning is suspected never try to induce vomiting, but if the person does so on their own, allow them to because it is the body’s natural way to expel the poison. Make sure that the person drinks plenty of water to help wash the chemicals out of the body as quickly as possible, which will eliminate any long term burning. If the bleach is on the body, wash it off immediately with hot water and soap, and if it gets into the eyes flush with cold water for fifteen to twenty minutes. When doing this be sure to hold the eye open, and if contacts are being worn take them out immediately because they will trap the chemicals against the eye. Always consult a physician or poison control center to ensure that proper procedures and techniques are followed.
