Hydrofluoric acid

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Hydrofluoric acid

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of hydrofluoric acid.

Alternative Names:

Fluohydric acid

Poisonous Ingredient:

Hydrofluoric acid

Where Found:

Used in glass etching
Used in industry as a corrosive agent
Used in the production of computer screens
Used in fluorescent bulbs
Used in the refinement of high octane gasoline

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

From swallowing:

Body as a whole
- Severe pain in the mouth
- Fever
Respiratory
- Inability to breathe as the throat swells shut
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Severe pain in the throat
Gastrointestinal
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting
Heart and blood vessels
- Rapid drop in blood pressure
- Ventricular fibrillation

From inhalation:

Body as a whole
- Chills
- Fever
- Tight chest
Respiratory
- Coughing
- Pulmonary edema
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Choking
Skin
- Bluish colored lips and fingernails

Home Treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING).

If the acid is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Take to emergency department immediately.

For extremities affected irrigate with water and transport to emergency department immediately.

If the acid is swallowed or inhaled, transport to the nearest emergency department immediately.

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 person to the hospital. 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 swallowed poison:

Give fluids.
Give milk of magnesia.
Treat the symptoms.

For inhalation:

Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on how rapidly the acid was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. For inhalation patients, symptoms usually will resolve after 10 to 30 days.

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