Dry cell battery poisoning

Dry cell batteries are a common type of power source. Tiny dry cell batteries are sometimes called button batteries.

This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing a dry cell battery (including button batteries) or breathing in large amounts of dust or smoke from burning batteries.

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

Acidic dry cell batteries contain:

• Manganese dioxide
• Ammonium chloride

Alkaline dry cell batteries contain:

• Sodium hydroxide
• Potassium hydroxide

Lithium dioxide dry cell batteries contain:

• Manganese dioxide

Where Found

Dry cell batteries are used to power a variety of different items. Small dry cell batteries may be used to power watches and calculators, while larger ones (for example, size "D" batteries) can be used in items such as flashlights.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on what type of battery is swallowed.

Symptoms of acidic dry cell battery poisoning include:

• Decreased mental ability
• Irritation or burns in the mouth
• Muscle cramps
• Slurred speech
• Swelling of the lower legs , ankles, or feet

  Swelling of the lower legs

  Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people. Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs ...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Weakness

  Weakness

  Weakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Spastic walk
• Spasticity

  Spasticity

  Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles. It may also be called unusual tightness or increased muscle tone. Reflexes (for example, a knee-jerk reflex) ...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Tremor

Symptoms that can result from breathing in large amounts of the acidic battery, or contents, dust, and smoke from burning batteries include:

• Decreased mental ability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Muscle cramps
• Slurred speech
• Weakness in the legs
• Bronchitis

  Bronchitis

  Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, which makes it...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Headache
• Pneumonia

  Pneumonia

  Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Itching skin
• Numbness of the fingers or toes

  Numbness

  Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Spastic walk

Symptoms of alkaline battery poisoning may include:

• Severe pain in the mouth
• Collapse
• Inability to breathe due to the throat swelling shut
• Severe pain in the throat
• Severe abdominal pain

  Abdominal pain

  Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.

   

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Rapid drop in blood pressure

Home Care

Immediate emergency treatment is needed after a battery is swallowed.

Get medical help right away. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care provider. Immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a provider.

If the person breathed in fumes from the battery, immediately move him or her to fresh air.

If the battery broke and contents touched the eyes or skin, wash the area with water for 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Get the following information:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Type of battery
• Time it was swallowed
• 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. 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.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the battery with you to the hospital, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The person will need immediate x-rays to make sure the battery is not stuck in the esophagus. Most swallowed batteries that pass through the esophagus will pass in the stool without complication. However, if a battery gets stuck in the esophagus, it can cause a hole in the esophagus very quickly.

The person may receive:

• Bronchoscopy. Camera and tube placed down the throat into the lungs and airways to remove a battery that is stuck in the respiratory tract.
• Upper endoscopy. A tube and camera through the mouth into the esophagus and stomach to remove a battery stuck in the swallowing tube (esophagus).
• X-rays to look for the battery.

Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery. Full recovery is often possible if treated quickly.

Serious problems are most often seen only following industrial accidents. Most household exposures (such as licking some liquid from a leaking battery or swallowing a button battery) are minor. If a large battery does not pass through the intestinal tract within a limited period of time and is causing bowel blockage or threatens to leak, a surgical procedure with general anesthesia may be needed.