MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Carbolic acid

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Carbolic acid

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Care Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Phenol; Phenylic acid; Hydroxybenzene; Phenic acid; Benzenol

Definition Return to top

Carbolic acid is a sweet-smelling clear liquid that is added to many different products. Carbolic acid poisoning occurs when someone touches or swallows this chemical.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Phenol

Where Found Return to top

Adhesive dyes
Lubricating oils
Perfumes
Textiles
Various antiseptics
Various disinfectants
Various germicides

Note: This list may not include all products containing carbolic acid.

Symptoms Return to top

Bladder and kidneys
- Blue- or green-colored urine
- Decreased urine output
- No urine output
Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Severe burns in the mouth and windpipe (esophagus)
- Yellow eyes
Gastrointestinal
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
Heart and blood
- Drop in blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
Lungs
- Deep, rapid breathing
- Wheezing
Nervous system
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Hyperactivity
- Lack of alertness (stupor)
Skin
- Blue lips and fingernails
- Burns
- Yellow skin
Whole body
- Excessive thirst
- Heavy sweating

Home Care Return to top

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 is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

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 United States 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 Return to top

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:

Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
Laxative
Medicines to relieve pain
Skin creams to treat burns

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

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.

Update Date: 2/27/2008

Updated 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.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.