INTERNAL MEDICINE

CORROSIVE POISONING

Def: Corrosive poisoning results from ingestion,

topical exposure or inhalation of chemical compounds that causes tissue injury as result of chemical reaction.

CORROSIVE POISONING

Clinical feature: Intense burning pain in mouth, throat, esophagus

extending down to the stomach. Frothy eructations, retching and vomiting. The

vomit is brown or black and contain blood. Intense thirst and vomiting leads to dehydration. Horseness voice and husky owing to inflammation

of epiglottis and larynx. Speech is painful and difficult. Breathing becomes difficult. Tongue is swollen, sodden and black is covered with

a white coating resembling soaked parchment.

CORROSIVE POISONING

Clinical feature: Teeth are chalky white colour. Lips are swollen and excoriated, brown or black

streaks resulting from action of acid. Constipation. Urine is scanty or suppressed. Cold clammy skin Low blood pressure Pulse is fast and feeble Anxious Shock Death due to cardio-respiratory failure

CORROSIVE POISONING

Investigation: CBC ECHO LFT RFT Serum electrolytes Blood gas analysis Blood for C/S

CORROSIVE POISONING

Management: Avoid gastric lavage Should be immediately diluted and neutralized by

giving one-fourth liter of water is seen within 30 minutes of ingestion

Give a demulcent- olive oil, milk, egg whites melted butter etc

Prednisolone 60 mg/day Correct the circulatory shock

CORROSIVE POISONING

Management: Tracheostomy, if there is oedema of glottis Give nothing by mouth Skin burns are washed with large amounts of

water Eye burns are irrigated with plain water for 15

minutes symptomatic