Depilatories

Definition

This poisoning is from ingestion of a depilatory.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Barium sulfide
• Thioglycollates
• Alkalis (sodium or calcium hydroxide)

Where Found

• Various depilatories

Symptoms

• Unable to walk in a normal manner
• Slurred speech
• No urine output
• Collapse
• Breathing difficulty
• Burning pain in the throat
• Blurred vision
• Burns to the eye
• Rash
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
• Low blood pressure
• Stupor
• Coma

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make the person throw up.

If the product was swallowed, immediately give water or milk. However, DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

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

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• Fluids
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage) 
• Medicines to treat an allergic reaction (diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or prednisone)
• Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
• Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison
• Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
• Skin debridment (surgical removal of burned skin)

In severe cases, the patient may be admitted to the hospital.

Expectations (prognosis)

How well the patient does depends on how fast the poison was diluted. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage.

Damage can continue to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the product is swallowed. Death may occur up to a month after the poisoning.