Photographic fixative poisoning

Definition

This poisoning is from swallowing photographic fixative.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

• Hydroquinones
• Quinones
• Sodium thiosulfate
• Sodium sulfite/bisulfite
• Boric acid

Photographic fixative can also break down (decompose) to form sulfur dioxide gas.

Where Found

These chemicals are found in products used to develop photographs.

Symptoms

• Lungs
  • Difficulty breathing (from inhalation or allergic reaction)
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Burning pain in the throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Burns to the eye
• Skin
  • Rash
• Gastrointestinal
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea (watery, bloody)
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Low blood pressure
• Nervous system
  • Stupor
  • Coma

Home Treatment

Seek immediate emergency medical help. Give water or milk unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing convulsions. Contact Poison Control for further guidance.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, 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:

• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Fluids by IV
• 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

Expectations (prognosis)

How well the patient does depends on how much of the poison was swallowed and how quickly the patient received medical help. Swallowing these products can cause severe effects on many parts of the body. The faster treatment is received, the greater the chance of recovery.