Windshield washer fluid

Windshield washer fluid is a brightly colored liquid made of methanol, a poisonous alcohol. Sometimes small amounts of other toxic alcohols such as ethylene glycol are added to the mixture.

Some young children may mistake the fluid for juice, which can lead to accidental poisoning. Even small amounts can cause significant damage. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing windshield washer fluid.

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

Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol)

Where Found

This poison is found in:

• Windshield washer fluid (used to clean automobile windows)

Symptoms

Symptoms of windshield washer fluid poisoning affect many different body systems, including:

Airway and lungs:

• Breathing difficulty
• No breathing

Eyes

• Blindness , complete or partial, sometimes described as "snow blindness"

  Blindness

  Blindness is a lack of vision. It may also refer to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Partial blindness mean...

   

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• Blurred vision

  Blurred vision

  There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: HalosBlurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see ...

   

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• Dilation (widening) of the pupils

Heart and blood

• Low blood pressure

Nervous system

• Agitated behavior
• 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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• Confusion
• Difficulty walking
• Dizziness

  Dizziness

  Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...

   

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• Headache

  Headache

  A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...

   

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• Seizures

Skin and nails

• Bluish-colored lips and fingernails

  Bluish-colored

  Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane that is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

   

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Stomach and intestines

• Abdominal pain (severe)
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

  Nausea

  Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up is forcing the contents of the stomach ...

   

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• Vomiting, sometimes bloody

Other

• Fatigue

  Fatigue

  Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.

   

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• Leg cramps

  Leg cramps

  Muscle cramps are when a muscle gets tight (contracts) without you trying to tighten it, and it does not relax. Cramps may involve all or part of on...

   

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• Weakness

  Weakness

  Weakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.

   

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• Yellow skin (jaundice)

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.

Before Calling Emergency

The following information is helpful for emergency assistance:

• Person's age, weight, and condition (for example, is the person awake or alert?)
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

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. 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. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Airway support, including oxygen, breathing tube through the mouth (intubation), and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Blood and urine tests
• Chest x-ray
• CT (computerized tomography, or advanced imaging) scan
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Fluids through a vein (intravenous or IV)
• Medicine to treat symptoms, including antidotes to reverse the effect of the poison (fomepizole or ethanol)
• Tube through the nose to remove the remaining poison if the person is seen within 60 minutes of swallowing it

Because rapid removal of methanol is a key to treatment and survival, a kidney machine (renal dialysis) will likely be needed.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Methanol, the main ingredient in windshield washing fluid, is extremely poisonous. As little as 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) can be deadly to a child. About 2 to 8 ounces (60 to 240 milliliters) can be deadly for an adult. Blindness is common and often permanent despite medical care.

The ultimate outcome depends on how much poison was swallowed and how soon treatment was received.

Although many windshield washer fluids are a watered-down form of methanol, they can still be dangerous if swallowed.