Lactic acid overdose

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lactic acid overdose

Definition:

Poisoning from an overdose of lactic acid.

Poisonous Ingredient:

lactic acid

Where Found:

some vaginal douches

Symptoms:

If swallowed:

burning pain in the throat or mouth
inability to breathe because of swelling of the face or throat
brownish stains around the mouth
bloody diarrhea (coffee-ground like material)
vomiting blood (coffee-ground like material)
low blood pressure

If there is skin contact:

brownish stains in the area the acid contacted the skin
burns

Home Treatment:

If swallowed:

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.
Give water or milk as soon as possible to dilute the acid.
If the patient is vomiting, keep administering fluids (water/milk). It is very important to dilute the acid to minimize damage to the tissues.

If there is skin contact:

Wash the area thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove any clothes containing the acid, washing the affected skin beneath the clothes.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

If you are concerned about a lactic acid overdose, go to your nearest emergency room or call poison control. See poison control centers for the national telephone number. 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:

Dilute the acid.
Give milk of magnesia (if the acid was swallowed).
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Damage to the esophagus may occur as late as 2-3 weeks after the acid is swallowed. Death may occur up to 1 month after it is swallowed.

Patients who recover may develop constrictions in the pyloric region of the stomach or in the esophagus.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.