Boric acid poisoning

Boric acid is a dangerous poison. Poisoning from this chemical can be acute or chronic. Acute boric acid poisoning usually occurs when someone swallows powdered roach-killing products that contain the chemical.

Chronic poisoning occurs in those who are repeatedly exposed to boric acid. For example, in the past, boric acid was used to disinfect and treat wounds. People who received such treatment over and over again got sick, and some died.

This article is for information only. Do NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Boric acid

Where Found

Boric acid is found in:

• Antiseptics and astringents
• Enamels and glazes
• Glass fiber manufacturing
• Medicated powders
• Skin lotions
• Some paints
• Some rodent and ant pesticides
• Photography chemicals
• Powders to kill roaches
• Some eye wash products

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of boric acid poisoning are blue-green vomit, diarrhea, and a bright red rash on the skin. Other symptoms may include:

• Blisters

  Blisters

  A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.

   

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• Collapse

  Collapse

  Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...

   

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• Coma

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...

   

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• Convulsions

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure...

   

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• Drowsiness

  Drowsiness

  Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate...

   

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• Fever
• Lack of desire to do anything
• Low blood pressure
• Significantly decreased urine output (or none)

  Decreased urine output

  Decreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 ml of urine in 24 hours (a little over 2 cups)....

   

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• Sloughing of skin
• Twitching of facial muscles , arms, hands, legs, and feet

  Twitching of facial muscles

  A facial tic is a repeated spasm, often involving the eyes and muscles of the face.

   

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Home Care

If the chemical is on the skin, remove it by washing the area thoroughly.

If the chemical was swallowed, seek medical treatment immediately.

If the chemical contacted the eyes, wash them out with cool water for 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The person'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

Your local poison center  can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. 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.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Treatment depends on the individual symptoms. The person may receive:

• Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation), and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Blood and urine tests
• Camera down the throat (endoscopy) to see burns in the esophagus and stomach
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Medicines to treat symptoms

Note: Activated charcoal does not effectively treat (absorb) boric acid.

For skin exposure, treatment may include:

• Surgical removal of burned skin (debridement)
• Transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care
• Washing of the skin (irrigation), possibly every few hours for several days

The person may need to be admitted to a hospital for more treatment. Surgery may be needed if the esophagus, stomach, or intestine has a hole (perforation) from the acid.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The infant death rate from boric acid poisonings is high. However, boric acid poisoning is considerably rarer than in the past because the substance is no longer used as a disinfectant in nurseries. It is also no longer commonly used in medical preparations. Boric acid is an ingredient in some vaginal suppositories used for yeast infections, although this is NOT a standard treatment.