Soap ingestion

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Soap ingestion

Definition:

Poisoning from an ingestion of soap.

Poisonous Ingredient:

Most bar soaps are considered relatively non-toxic.

Where Found:

Various bar soaps

Symptoms:

Contact dermatitis (redness and local irritation)
Diarrhea
Vomiting

Home Treatment:

For any toxic exposure or allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call Poison Control for further guidance.

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:

Treat the symptoms.

Note: It may not be necessary to take the patient to the emergency room.

Expectations (prognosis):

Recovery normally occurs.

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