Hydrogen peroxide overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Hydrogen peroxide overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of hydrogen peroxide.

Alternative Names:

Hair bleach poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient:

Hydrogen peroxide

Where Found:

Hydrogen peroxide
Hair bleach
Some contact lens disinfectants

Note: Household hydrogen peroxide has a 3% concentration; hair bleaches usually have a concentration of greater than 6%.

Symptoms:

Body pain
Burns in the oral cavity and throat
Temporary white appearance to exposed skin
Abdominal discomfort and cramping
Vomiting

Home Treatment:

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. For eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. Contact your local poison control center.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
When it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

If hydrogen peroxide has been swallowed, seek medical care immediately at your nearest emergency room, or call poison control. Take any containers with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Inserting a gastric tube to prevent pressure build-up
Treating the symptoms

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is common after minor exposure, but serious complications from gastrointestinal burns or gas build-up can occur.

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