Dyes - cloth
Definition
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Cloth dyes are chemicals used to color cloth. Cloth dye poisoning occurs when someone swallows large amounts of these substances.
Poisonous Ingredient
- Corrosive alkali
Today it is rare to find this poisonous ingredient in most household cloth dyes.
Most common household cloth dyes are made from non-poisonous substances, such as:
- Mild soaps
- Pigments
- Salts
Although these substances are generally considered not dangerous, they can cause problems if swallowed in large amounts, especially in small children.
Where Found
- Certain dyes to color cloth or fabric
Symptoms
- Airways and lungs
- Breathing difficulty (from breathing in the dye)
- Throat swelling (may also cause breathing difficulty)
- Blood
- Severe change in acid level of blood (pH balance), which leads to damage in all of the body organs
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Loss of vision
- Severe pain in the throat
- Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
- Gastrointestinal
- Blood in the stool
- Burns and possible holes (perforations) in the esophagus
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Heart and blood
- Collapse
- Low blood pressure that develops rapidly
- Skin
- Burns
- Holes (necrosis) in the skin or tissues underneath
- Irritation
Home Care
Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
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.
See: Poison control center - emergency number
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:
- Breathing tube
- Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
- Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
- Fluids by IV
- Medicines to treat pain
- Oxygen
- Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
- Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
If the poisoning involved a corrosive alkali, extensive damage may occur to the:
- Esophagus
- Kidneys
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Throat
The outcome depends on the extent of this damage.
If you swallowed a non-poisonous household dye, you should recover.
Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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