Vinegar poisoning. Acetic acid poisoning

Acetic acid is a chemical with the formula CH3COOH. It is transparent, has a sharp smell, burning taste. It is the result of the fermentation of ethanol (alcohol), most often wine. Vinegar poisoning is possible and can lead to death.

It is used as a component for medicines, in the food industry for the preparation of pickles, marinades, preservation.

What is affected by vinegar poisoning?

Vinegar intoxication belongs to the category of chemical burns. Death causes 15-20 ml of the substance. The way you use it doesn't matter.

Mostly acetic acid enters through the oral cavity, therefore, the larynx, esophagus, stomach, upper respiratory organs are first affected.

Intoxication is often accompanied by severe vomiting with acid, this combination leads to the destruction of teeth, gums, pharynx, oral cavity.

A chemical burn is caused either by the use of acetic acid with a concentration of 9% in large quantities, or slightly diluted with a concentration of 30%. The substance is well absorbed by the body, penetrating through the blood into all cells and tissues. As a result of the negative impact, their necrosis (necrosis) develops.

Poisoning with vinegar vapor first causes destruction of the nasal mucosa, bronchi, lungs, gradually spreading throughout the body.

What can lead to death:

  1. Severe pain shock, loss of a large amount of blood, dehydration;
  2. Violation of the acidic environment, necrosis of 70-80% of all tissues;
  3. Renal failure due to vascular obstruction;
  4. Necrosis of organs due to lack of nutrition.

Classification of poisoning by severity

Vinegar vapor poisoning is a severe burn disease, which is classified in medicine, having a microbial code 10: T65-8 (acid), T54-5 (essence).

There are three degrees of severity of chemical intoxication:

  • Easy degree. Affected - oral mucosa, esophagus. The color of the urine does not change, the consistency of the blood remains the same, the internal organs are not affected;
  • Average degree. Symptoms - pain shock, thickening of the blood, urine becomes light pink, the gastric mucosa is affected by 15-30%;
  • Severe degree. The vomit is bloody, there is an acute attack of pain in the chest and abdomen, the urine acquires a bright red edema, there are problems with breathing. Most often, such a burn can be caused by 70 percent vinegar. With intoxication with hot vapors of vinegar, coughing, tearfulness, and breathing problems are noted.

The formation is affected by the concentration, the amount of the substance, and also with what food it was consumed.

First aid for vinegar poisoning is specific. It is necessary to cleanse the stomach of a harmful substance, but doing it in the standard way - taking liquids, provoking vomiting - will only hurt, serious consequences can develop.

With this approach, the acid will again pass through the esophagus, which will lead to a double burn, which can cause complete necrosis of the esophagus and oral cavity.

What to do so as not to harm? Rinse only with a probe lubricated with petroleum jelly. The only problem is the complexity of the procedure.

Mild cases do not require hospitalization. It is enough to undergo a course of treatment with Almagel, go on a special diet, drink enough water regularly. It is necessary to consult with a gastroenterologist and an otolaryngologist.

If signs report severe, moderate poisoning, urgent hospitalization is required.

What is inpatient treatment?

  1. Removal of acetic acid residues from the gastrointestinal tract using a probe;
  2. Stimulation of the urinary function for detoxification by urine, reducing the concentration of acid in the blood;
  3. Droppers with potassium bicarbonate to restore the acid-base balance in the body;
  4. To prevent pain shock, a dropper with glucose and Novocaine is prescribed;
  5. To prevent infectious infection, a course of antiviral agents is prescribed;
  6. Steroid medications are required to keep the esophagus from closing;
  7. Papaverine helps with spasms;
  8. If the blood thickens, the level of acidity rises, it is recommended to update it with fresh plasma;
  9. If the liver tissue is severely damaged, "glutargic acid" helps;
  10. In case of violation of the swallowing function, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, the victim is transferred completely to nutrition through a dropper;
  11. Therapeutic diet;
  12. To restore the esophagus after a few days, its bougienage is performed. A special tube (probe) is inserted for healing. Previously, a drug that reduces salivation may be administered. The tube is left inside for half an hour.

Diet prescribed for vinegar poisoning

If the esophagus is severely damaged after poisoning with vinegar, nutrition is carried out using a probe. Through it, food immediately enters the stomach or intestines.

In other cases, you can eat as usual, only in compliance with the rules:

  • Fatty, salty, pickled, canned foods, semi-finished products, food with artificial additives are prohibited;
  • Soda, coffee, tea can not be drunk;
  • You should give up alcohol, smoking.

What you can eat:

  1. Soups on lean chicken and fish, vegetables, cereals (buckwheat, rice);
  2. Cereals - buckwheat, rice, oatmeal (on the water);
  3. Chicken, veal, boiled or steamed beef;
  4. Omelet, steamed eggs;
  5. Kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt with a low level of acidity and fat;
  6. Banana, watermelon and other non-sour berries, fruits can be eaten.

Vinegar poisoning: prevention

Avoiding vinegar poisoning is easy, just follow preventive measures.

How to protect yourself:

  1. Keep vinegar out of the reach of children;
  2. Always add a small amount of vinegar;
  3. Dilute highly concentrated vinegar with water;
  4. In order not to be poisoned by the smell of vinegar, ventilate the room or go out for a fresh rest;
  5. Refuse to take vinegar essence if you suffer from diseases of the digestive tract - gastritis, peptic ulcer, high acidity.

Video: what happens if you drink a glass of vinegar

Vinegar poisoning belongs to the category of chemical burns that cause serious consequences for the body. Vinegar is used in the food industry, pharmaceutical production, as well as in canning and cooking at home.

How poisoning occurs

Acetic acid has a sharp unpleasant odor and a burning taste. Currently, several varieties of acid are distinguished: vinegar essence, table and food vinegar produced from natural raw materials (for example, apple cider vinegar).

Most often, table vinegar is used in everyday life - in which the concentration of the main substance does not exceed 9%. Acid poisoning belongs to the category of chemical burns, and the way the hazardous substance enters the body does not matter.

The burn is caused by the use of a solution of table vinegar in large volumes or a small dose of 70 percent acetic acid.

Vinegar mainly enters the body through the mouth, burning the mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract and esophagus. The consequences of an overdose can be the saddest.

What leads to death:

  • The strongest pain syndrome.
  • Internal bleeding.
  • tissue necrosis.
  • development of renal failure.

Depending on the amount of acid taken, poisoning can be of several types.

The severity of toxemia:

  1. With a mild level of intoxication, only the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and the larynx are affected. The esophagus and other internal organs remain intact.
  2. The average degree of poisoning is characterized by a burn of the digestive system, urine acquires a light pink tint.
  3. The severe form of poisoning is mainly caused by 70% acetic acid. The victim opens vomiting, breathing becomes difficult, a strong pain syndrome appears in the chest and abdomen, urine becomes bright red. In case of poisoning with vinegar vapor, the organs of the respiratory system are primarily affected.

Vinegar poisoning: symptoms

Signs of vinegar poisoning are similar to chemical intoxication.

Symptoms:

  • Burns of the oral cavity.
  • Vomiting blood.
  • From the vapors of vinegar, tearing and sneezing appear.
  • Chest pain.
  • Spasmodic pains in the abdomen.
  • Strong shortness of breath.



The further condition and speed of recovery depend on the timeliness of the first aid provided to the victim.

First aid for poisoning

Vinegar poisoning is mainly due to the negligence of adults and children. Children often mistake bottles with an apple on the label for lemonade and drink the contents. Apple cider vinegar is less dangerous than essence, but in large quantities it also causes serious poisoning. What to do if someone close to you has poisoned yourself with vinegar? First of all, you need to call an ambulance, and before the arrival of doctors, try to provide first aid in case of poisoning.

First aid steps:

  1. Gastric lavage. Cleansing of the digestive organs from the remnants of a dangerous substance is carried out through a probe so that the acid does not re-burn the esophagus on the way back.
  2. It is forbidden to do gastric lavage with soda solution. As a result of the interaction of acetic acid and soda, carbon dioxide is released, which can injure the walls of the esophagus and cause internal bleeding.
  3. Acetic acid poisoning is always accompanied by severe pain. For pain relief, any analgesic is allowed.

Timely provision of primary care will avoid serious complications, and in some cases, death.

When is medical assistance required?

A chemical burn from the use of vinegar requires urgent hospitalization. Children who have drunk any amount of acetic acid or inhaled its vapors must be treated in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

Treatment of intoxication:

  • Elimination of chemical residues from the digestive organs.
  • Decreased concentration of acid in the blood.
  • Regeneration of water and electrolyte balance in the body.
  • Intravenous administration of painkillers.
  • With severe burns of the larynx, the patient is fed through a probe or dropper.

As with any poisoning, a special diet is required after vinegar intoxication.

What is allowed to eat:

  1. Soups on the second broth.
  2. Kashi on the water.
  3. Boiled potatoes, rice, pasta.
  4. Lean meats: chicken fillet, turkey, veal.
  5. Steam omelet.
  6. Dairy products with low fat content.

In case of poisoning, it is forbidden to eat spicy, fried and salty foods, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, citrus fruits, chocolate, honey.

After a severe chemical burn, large scars form on the victim's digestive organs. To eliminate them, bougienage is used - a treatment method in which special tubes of different diameters are inserted into the esophagus.

Possible consequences and prevention

The consequences of vinegar poisoning are very serious. It is impossible to completely restore the esophagus after a chemical burn, even numerous operations do not allow removing all scars from the walls of the digestive tract.

Types of complications.

  • Renal failure.
  • Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Suppuration of places affected by acid.
  • Swelling of the airways caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx.
  • Problems with eating for a long time.

The most dangerous is the first day of the disease - the victim may die from anaphylactic shock. The prognosis as a whole depends on the timeliness of the first aid provided and the amount of acid drunk.

Prevention

Preventing acetic acid poisoning is quite simple - for this you need to follow certain precautions.

Prevention of poisoning:

  1. Keep vinegar out of the reach of children.
  2. If possible, purchase table vinegar, avoiding the use of vinegar essence in everyday life.
  3. During home preparations, use acid according to the recipe.
  4. After using acetic acid, it is necessary to ventilate the room.

Vinegar is a dangerous chemical that poses a threat to human life. If by chance acid poisoning occurs, urgent measures must be taken to provide first aid to the victim. Further treatment of intoxication should be carried out in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

Video: what happens if you drink 0.5 vinegar


Domestic chemical poisoning is not uncommon. This is due to ordinary human carelessness or inattention. But the consequences of such conditions can remain for many years. Vinegar poisoning occurs when it is accidentally or intentionally ingested. Most often this happens to people in a state of intoxication, who hope to quench their thirst. A sharp acidic smell from the substance taken with severe intoxication can simply not be heard.

Doctors often report apple cider vinegar poisoning in children. Unfortunately, kids think that a bottle with a sticker that shows apples should contain lemonade or any other sweet drink.

By negligence, anyone can get poisoned. However, one or two sips of a 6% or 9% acid solution will not lead to very serious consequences. Such a dose is quite enough for a sober person to understand the danger of drinking liquids. But even with such a small amount of a substance, timely first aid is important, and correct treatment in a hospital.

There are also suicide attempts with vinegar or 70 percent acetic acid. But the consequences of such an act are very sad: death can occur after a rather long period of time. From a few days to a year. During this entire period, the victim experiences terrible torment, and his desire to give up his life may be shaken in the first minutes when first aid or hospital treatment is provided.

The effect of acid on humans

The acid-base balance in the body must be stable. If it shifts in any direction (becomes more acidic or more alkaline), a person feels unwell, some failures occur in organs and systems. The balance can be restored with medication or dietary adjustments.

A person almost always receives small portions of acid with food. A small proportion of vinegar in marinades adds spice to them and allows them to preserve preservation for a certain period.

However, large doses of acid adversely affect a person. The skin and mucous membranes undergo severe burns, and since the digestive tract is designed for the speedy processing of food, the resulting acid is quickly absorbed into organs and systems, grossly disrupting their work.

Acid in the body: dangerous symptoms

When poisoning with vinegar, the symptoms unfold in just a matter of minutes. If first aid and adequate treatment are not provided within two hours, then a person may die from a painful shock or the consequences of acid digestion by the body.

The harmful effects of acid unfold in several directions at once. Vinegar poisoning, the symptoms of which are difficult to recognize for a person who did not see the picture taking place, proceeds quite rapidly.

Damage follows one after another as the dangerous fluid moves through the digestive tract:

  • Small blood vessels are destroyed.
  • The liquid that has entered the body disrupts the functioning of the liver, affecting its cells.
  • There are physiological changes in the blood, the amount of hemoglobin goes off scale, while red blood cells are destroyed at a tremendous speed.
  • The kidneys do not have time to process this amount of damaged blood cells. Renal failure occurs.
  • Possible blockage of blood vessels by products of blood decay.
  • The intestines are the least affected by acid entering the body, because help with vinegar poisoning, provided in time, will not allow the substance to move further. In the absence of the necessary medical actions, a person may die before the acid enters the intestines.

Ingested concentration

The action of an aggressive acidic environment is always the same: first of all, burns of the mucous membranes of the mouth and larynx occur, and after that - the esophagus and stomach. However, the symptoms of poisoning with vinegar and concentrated acid are slightly different.

Diluted substance

Few people know what to do in case of poisoning of such a plan. Most of the opinions agree that the first aid is to wash the stomach in an accessible way at home: drink plenty of water and put pressure on the root of the tongue.

But it is worth considering for a moment, is it possible to really help a person in this way? After all, this is how we force the aggressive substance to rise again through the esophagus and inflict additional burns on it. Therefore, whatever information there is about the importance of gastric lavage, it is important to remember that only a qualified specialist in a hospital should do this in case of chemical poisoning.

Small concentrations of acid are quickly eaten into the mucous membranes. Having reacted with gastric juice, the substance becomes more aggressive and causes burns of the stomach and nearby organs.


Having damaged the liver and the main hematopoietic cells, vinegar practically loses its aggressiveness. The kidneys must cope with the abundance of damaged blood cells.

concentrated acid

The most insidious in case of poisoning with a concentrated substance are its vapors. You can inhale them both by accident and in order to find out what kind of remedy is in an unsigned container. But if the acid has been swallowed, then the person continues to inhale burning vapors with each movement of the lungs.

This causes a strong cough, a person cannot breathe fresh air, driving the microparticles of the poison deeper into the lungs.

There are some positive aspects of getting concentrated acid into the body. If swallowed

it is the essence, then for some time it does not split in the stomach, but is enveloped by its walls due to its high concentration. With the timely assistance of doctors, they will be able to evacuate it with minimal losses to human organs and systems.

Actions in case of poisoning

It is very important to provide a person with medical assistance in time. The severity of the condition and the duration of the necessary treatment will depend on the speed of the reaction of others.

First aid

It is possible to reliably find out that swallowed vinegar is the cause of the unwell-being of an outsider by a sharp specific smell from the mouth. The very first action should be to call an ambulance.

Qualified actions of physicians

With the necessary tools, the first gastric lavage can be carried out by ambulance doctors at home. To do this, use a special wide probe, richly lubricated with vaseline oil.

Large doses of painkillers are administered intravenously, and in case of pain shock, narcotic substances are administered so that a person does not fall into a coma.

And with the maximum possible speed I transport the patient to the medical facility, to the intensive care unit.

Self help

It is quite difficult to provide the necessary assistance on your own - a person needs strong painkillers, and with the development of pain shock - narcotic drugs. Therefore, the algorithm of actions should be something like this:

  • Lay the victim on his side so that if vomiting occurs, he will not choke.
  • If a person is conscious, you can offer a drink consisting of egg whites and milk - such a liquid will slightly slow down the absorption of acid and protect the walls of the stomach.
  • Offer to dissolve or swallow ice cubes - this will stop the development of traumatic edema, which can completely block the larynx.

If a woman uses vinegar or its essence for cleaning, and in the course of her activity she inhaled vapors and became poisoned, it is urgent to go to a medical facility. Because damage to the airways can lead to post-traumatic pneumonia, the consequences of which can be unpredictable.

Treatment in a hospital

An injury received from swallowing 30-50 ml of acid (or 200 ml of vinegar) can be considered fatal - it equals 30% of skin burns.

The treatment of internal chemical burns is very long, at any stage signs of infection of the affected tissues may appear, which can lead to a bacterial infection and death.

If the gastric lavage was not carried out by the ambulance at home, then it will be carried out immediately upon arrival in the intensive care unit. With the help of potent substances, the person will be kept conscious or in an artificial sleep to prevent shock and subsequent coma.

Procedures for maintaining affected organs in a hospital

Since clots of destroyed cells appear in the blood, the kidneys cannot cope with their splitting, the victim is connected to hemodialysis. This procedure will be carried out at least several times.

Severe burns of the esophagus cause swelling of the esophagus, which can be so extensive that it blocks the airways. To avoid this complication, significant doses of hormonal drugs are administered.

Natural nutrition becomes impossible due to significant damage to the esophagus - food will be taken through the gastrostomy.

After a few days, the condition should stabilize, the insane pains subside, but well-being is only external. Mucous and damaged tissues will begin to scar, but any movement can lead to flaking of necrotic tissue and internal bleeding.

Acetic acid poisoning is life-threatening. Accidental or deliberate use of the substance causes burns of the mucous membrane, severe intoxication of the body, and swelling of the respiratory tract.

Symptoms of poisoning depend on the amount and concentration of vinegar. If vinegar essence (30-80%) is drunk, a person experiences a painful shock, he cannot breathe, swallow, loses consciousness. Hematemesis may occur. With a small amount of table vinegar drunk (3-9%), there is a severe burning sensation in the throat, pain in the stomach, weakness, the consciousness of the poisoned person becomes confused, the voice becomes hoarse, and there are difficulties with breathing and swallowing.

You need to act very quickly. First of all, we call an ambulance. Then the person needs to be given some water to rinse the mouth. Lay the victim on their side to avoid getting vomit into the respiratory tract. It is strictly forbidden to independently wash the stomach, induce vomiting.

Acetic acid

Acetic acid is a flammable, colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is obtained by acetic acid fermentation of ethyl alcohol.

There are different types of vinegars:

  • glacial acetic acid (nearly 100% concentration);
  • vinegar essence (30-80%);
  • table vinegar (3, 6, 9, 12%).

The substance is used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Table vinegar (apple, grape) is in almost every home. It is indispensable for conservation - most marinades are prepared on its basis. Some housewives use vinegar as a disinfectant, odor eliminator.

When it enters the human body, acetic acid causes a chemical burn of the esophageal mucosa and disrupts the functioning of internal organs - the liver, kidneys, stomach and others. If timely assistance is not provided and treatment is not started, the poisoned person may die.

Clinical picture of poisoning

Vinegar poisoning can be fatal within the first 5 days. Surviving patients become disabled (in 99% of cases).

The clinical picture is usually the following:

  1. First 5-10 days. The so-called acute period. The victim feels unbearable pain in the mouth, pharynx and lower esophagus. Damage to the vocal cords leads to hoarseness, loss of voice. Salivation increases, the swallowing reflex is disturbed. Vomiting opens periodically, often with an admixture of scarlet blood. Vapors of acetic acid, penetrating into the respiratory tract, cause swelling, difficulty breathing, pneumonia.
  2. 30 days. If the victim survives, then after an acute period his general condition improves - the pain subsides, he begins to drink and eat on his own. There are no scars yet, however, there is a rejection of dead (burned) tissues. This process is dangerous perforation of the walls of the esophagus, bleeding, penetration of infections, the development of pneumonia.
  3. 2-4 months - 3 years. During this period, the damaged tissue is replaced by connective (scar) tissue. As a result, the esophagus narrows (stricture), and its ability to contract and stretch is lost. The swallowing reflex is disturbed, food ceases to be digested properly. Late symptoms of vinegar poisoning: heartburn, increased salivation, putrid breath, belching, vomiting, discomfort and pain in the stomach.

The first signs of poisoning

The first thing that indicates poisoning with acetic acid is the characteristic smell of vomit from the victim's mouth, a sharp cutting pain in the throat. When vapors are inhaled, a runny nose, headache, burning sensation in the nasopharynx, dizziness, and sometimes vomiting occur. Depending on the severity of vinegar poisoning, symptoms are observed:

Severity

The severity of poisoning can be affected by the age of the patient, the general condition of the body, the simultaneous intake of other toxic substances, the speed of assistance, the concentration and amount of acetic acid.

There are three levels of severity:

  1. Light. It is observed when swallowing 5-10 ml of table vinegar, inhaling vinegar fumes. It is characterized by a burn of the oral mucosa, nasopharynx, upper esophagus. Does not cause serious consequences.
  2. Average. This degree is characterized by severe burns of the mucous membrane of the mouth, esophagus, stomach. The urine of the poisoned becomes pink, there is vomiting, confusion. Complications develop in the form of acidosis, hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, moderate blood clots. Requires hospitalization and long-term treatment.
  3. Heavy. It is accompanied by severe pain in the epigastric region, behind the sternum, repeated vomiting, staining of urine in scarlet or dark red. The victim may lose consciousness. Without assistance, death occurs from pain shock or acute renal failure.
Vinegar poisoning

Acetic essence poisoning is the most severe: the lethal dose of 70% concentrate is 308 mg/kg; to die, it is enough for an adult man to drink 40 ml of the substance.

Vinegar vapor poisoning is less dangerous. With short-term exposure to a toxic substance, only the nasopharyngeal mucosa suffers, and mild intoxication of the body can be observed. Usually after a few days the condition of the victim is normalized. With prolonged exposure to acetic fumes, gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa) develops.

First aid

In a critical situation, it is important to calm down, stop panicking. The life of the victim depends on the correctness and speed of action.

First aid for poisoning with acetic acid:

  1. Call an ambulance.
  2. If the poisoned person has not lost consciousness, rinse his mouth with water. Only after that you can drink the poisoned person with a small amount of liquid (milk, water, mucous decoction).
  3. Ice can be used for pain relief. It must be applied to the stomach, allowed to be swallowed in small pieces (after cleansing the oral cavity). If there is Almagel A in the first aid kit, then you can give the victim 2 scoops.
  4. Artificial respiration mouth to nose
  5. If a person is unconscious, his pulse and breathing should be checked. If necessary, unbutton the shirt and, throwing the victim's head back, perform mouth-to-nose artificial respiration and perform a heart massage. To do this, you need to sharply blow air into the nose 2 times, then sharply press on the chest 15 times (12 seconds), again 2 vigorous blows (3 seconds), 15 heart contractions. Continue resuscitation until the ambulance arrives.
  6. To prevent ingestion of vomit, the poisoned person should be thrown over his knee down with his stomach or laid on his side.

What can not be done in case of poisoning with vinegar:

  1. give the victim plenty of water;
  2. give emetics;
  3. induce vomiting with fingers;
  4. drink a solution of soda with water or other folk remedies.

Treatment

First aid for vinegar poisoning

An ambulance immediately hospitalizes the injured. If the patient is in a severe, unconscious state, then he is sent to the intensive care unit, where resuscitation is carried out. For the rest of the patients, upon arrival, the stomach is washed through a tube with 10 liters of water. Further, treatment is carried out aimed at restoring the damaged mucosa, relieving symptoms, preventing complications and normalizing organ functions.

The patient may be given:

  • painkillers;
  • antibiotics;
  • antispasmodics;
  • glutargic acid;
  • hormonal drugs;
  • stimulation of urination with alkalization of the blood;
  • hemodialysis;
  • transfusion of blood components.

At first, nutrition is carried out parenterally (through injections of nutrients). Almagel, sea buckthorn oil is prescribed orally for tissue regeneration. After 3 weeks, if necessary, bougienage of the esophagus is performed (restoration of patency). If it is established that there was a deliberate attempt to poison (with the aim of suicide), the victim is registered with a psychiatrist. After treatment, he is assigned a course of psychological rehabilitation.

In case of poisoning with vapors of acetic acid, the victim is prescribed instillation of peach or apricot oil into the nose. It is also necessary to take a drug with anti-inflammatory and anti-bronchoconstrictor activity (Erespal and its analogues).

Vinegar poisoning never goes unnoticed - even with successful and timely treatment, the structure of the mucosa changes in patients. Subsequently, diseases of the digestive system develop - gastritis, esophagitis, acid-base balance disorders, protein metabolism, etc. To avoid acetic acid poisoning, preventive measures should be taken. Hazardous liquid must be removed out of the reach of children. If you have suicidal tendencies, you should visit a psychiatrist.

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Acetic acid poisoning: symptoms, first aid

Vinegar is a product often used in everyday life. But it is very dangerous, especially when it enters the human body in its pure form. Therefore, you need to know as much as possible about acetic acid poisoning: symptoms, first aid, consequences, severity, what to do in case of poisoning, and so on.

Acetic essence (acid, ethanoic acid) is a product obtained by fermenting wine. It is used in industry, in the chemical industry, in everyday life and in cooking. Vinegar is simply irreplaceable at home. It is necessary for marinating, baking, and even cleaning some surfaces and containers.

In the kitchen, housewives mainly use table vinegar - this is a 6 or 9 percent solution of ethanoic acid. But some sometimes choose 70-80% vinegar essence, from which the product of the desired concentration is subsequently made.

Acetic acid poisoning is not a very common occurrence, but it has serious negative consequences for the body. The use of even a small amount of it can lead to disability or death. Only 15 ml taken orally are considered fatal. The main reason for this is severe burns of the respiratory and digestive systems, mainly the stomach, due to the release of a large amount of toxic fumes.

Vinegar poisoning occurs more often due to its greater prevalence of use in everyday life. However, although it is harmful to health, the concentration of essence in it is much less. Therefore, the lethal dose of this product for an adult is 200 ml.

Is it possible to get poisoned by vapors of acetic acid? Undoubtedly. But they do not cause much harm to the body, if you do not inhale concentrated essence vapors that cause a chemical burn of the upper respiratory organs.

The main cause of poisoning is negligence. Most often among the victims are inquisitive young children who cannot read and try to taste everything. Therefore, such products dangerous to health and life are recommended to be stored in places inaccessible to children.

Another category of people who use vinegar through negligence are lovers of alcoholic beverages, drunkards. Sometimes their desire to "take on the chest" is so strong that they do not even notice the characteristic smell and drink a clear liquid from a bottle without thinking about the possible consequences.

By chance, this can happen to any woman who runs her own kitchen. Often, the reason she got poisoned is not even the use of the product, but the inhalation of acid vapors when diluted to the desired concentration on her own, or the excessive use of vinegar when cleaning and cleaning.

The reason why vinegar poisoning occurs may also be the desire to die. However, it must be understood that this method is very painful, accompanied by unpleasant, terrible consequences, and the desired result does not come immediately, forcing one to suffer and suffer. And sometimes suicides remain alive, but after the events experienced, they become disabled.

Vinegar poisoning leads to the most deplorable consequences and causes the following symptoms:

  1. Specific smell.
  2. Strong pains.
  3. Vomiting with clots, blood.
  4. Diarrhea with bleeding.
  5. Acidosis.
  6. Hemolysis of erythrocytes.
  7. Thickening of the blood.
  8. Renal failure.
  9. Jaundice.
  10. Burn shock.
  11. Hemoglobinuria.
  12. The appearance of scars, ulcers.
  13. Deterioration of blood clotting.
  14. Liver damage.

Sometimes there is even poisoning with vinegar vapor. A pungent, unpleasant, pungent odor is usually characterized by the following symptoms:

  • cough;
  • runny nose;
  • lacrimation;
  • pain in the chest;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • development of tracheobronchitis, pulmonitis.

If you drink vinegar, a person must understand that he will have serious health problems. Depending on the amount and concentration of the product, poisoning can be divided into three degrees of severity:

  1. Mild - characterized by non-serious burns of the oral cavity and esophagus, minor damage to the stomach, without blood clotting, hemolysis and hemoglobinuria. Does not pose a health hazard.
  2. Medium, which has a more negative effect on the body. In addition to serious burns in the mouth, the stomach is severely affected, resorptive processes develop, blood thickens, urine color changes, acidosis, hemolysis, and hemoglobinuria are observed.
  3. Severe, in which a person develops severe acidosis, hemoglobinuria, hemolysis, blood thickens very much, unbearable pains in the chest and epigastrium appear, kidney failure, vomiting with blood begins. The upper respiratory tract, oral cavity, digestive tract were seriously burned. Often the victim dies.

Death from vinegar poisoning can occur for a number of reasons:

  • pain shock;
  • large fluid losses;
  • large blood loss due to vascular damage;
  • acidity disorder;
  • exposure to toxic fumes of the essence;
  • violation of the kidneys;
  • the formation of cell decay products in the vessels;
  • change in the structure and destruction of red blood cells;
  • malnutrition of vital organs.

Not necessarily, if you drink vinegar, death occurs. In most cases, oddly enough, people after such incidents remain alive. But their health and well-being is deteriorating significantly. And this happens in several painful and unpleasant stages:

  1. Acute - a period during which the victim experiences severe, unbearable pain in the oral cavity, larynx, esophagus. It lasts from 5 to 10 days. At this time, the patient has increased salivation, a violation of the swallowing reflex, often - vomiting, hoarseness. Due to acid vapors entering the respiratory tract, breathing difficulties, swelling and even pneumonia are possible.
  2. Condition improvement. This period lasts about a month and is characterized by a decrease in pain symptoms, restoration of the esophagus, and the absence of scars. However, in most cases, this is only an imaginary well-being, followed by the rejection of dead tissues, which entails piercing the esophagus and, accordingly, bleeding. In turn, an infection can get into the wounds, and cause suppuration.
  3. Narrowing of the esophagus. This process begins 2-4 months after the accidental or intentional use of acetic acid and occurs over a period of two to three years. During this period, the granulation tissue changes to dense connective tissue, which does not allow the esophagus to stretch or narrow. Cicatricial constrictions begin to form, accompanied by a violation of the swallowing function. It becomes more and more difficult for a person to eat food, pain sensations become stronger, more painful. In a place just above the constriction, food passes poorly, stagnates, which means it is not digested and begins to decompose over time. All this is accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms as bad breath, heartburn, belching, increased salivation, and sometimes even vomiting with food debris.
  4. Late complications - the period when the organs adjacent to the esophagus begin to suffer from rotting food - the trachea, lungs, pleura. Poor nutrition, inflammation lead to the fact that the victim loses weight. He may develop cancer. And the poor elasticity of the esophagus often leads to its rupture.

Competent, timely first aid, provided in case of poisoning with acetic acid, minimizes the negative consequences. The main thing in such a situation is to immediately call an ambulance team and try to relieve the pain.

The victim should be laid on his side so that he does not choke on vomit. But, in no case should you provoke vomiting on your own, since the contents of the stomach harm the esophagus even more, burn, corrode the mucous membranes, and can cause intoxication, bleeding.

Emergency aid for poisoning with vinegar essence consists in washing the stomach, cleansing the gastrointestinal tract through the use of a special probe. It is carried out only by an experienced specialist. After such a procedure, the victim is injected with narcotic or non-narcotic analgesics: analgin, promedol, and others, and he is hospitalized for further treatment.

Video: what happens if you drink vinegar?

Hospitalization is a mandatory procedure that everyone who has had contact with vinegar essence undergoes. After a thorough and most detailed study of the patient's condition, the doctor prescribes treatment, which, as a rule, consists of the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Recovery of the body is slow and requires various activities:

  • The use of sodium bicarbonate in acidosis.
  • Conducting diuresis to alkalize the blood.
  • The use of antibacterial drugs to prevent infection.
  • Prescription of medications (stabilizol, refortam) to eliminate burn shock and spasm.
  • The use of hormonal drugs to prevent narrowing of the esophagus.
  • Introduction of intravenous glucose-novocaine mixture to reduce pain.
  • Transfusions of fresh frozen plasma if toxic coagulopathy is observed.
  • Appointments of glutargic acid in the detection of liver damage.
  • Parenteral nutrition is mandatory, especially with a severe burn condition.

Vinegar is a dangerous product that causes irreparable harm to the body. Always be careful when tasting and drinking bottled liquids that are in the kitchen to protect yourself from negative consequences. If you decide to commit suicide in this way, you must understand that this will be a very painful process, you will die in agony and not immediately.

poisoninghelp.ru

What to do in case of poisoning with vinegar and its vapors?

Vinegar (acetic essence or acid) is stored in the kitchen of almost every housewife. It is used on the farm for marinating, preserving, baking, or as a cleaning agent. The concentration of the solution depends on the scope of its use.

Poisoning with vinegar essence can occur due to careless handling of the substance or it can occur intentionally (for example, taking vinegar with the aim of suicide). This condition poses a serious danger to human health, the pathological process can end in sad consequences, including death.

This article will consider in detail whether it is possible to poison yourself with vinegar, what symptoms appear in this case, and how such a condition can end.

How does vinegar affect the body?

When ingested, acetic essence (acid) has both local and general resorptive effects.

  • local exposure provokes chemical burns of the mucous surface of the digestive tract, their swelling and inflammation;
  • the general resorptive effect is associated with the ability of acetic acid to be rapidly absorbed into the blood, which causes hemolysis (decay) of red blood cells. This leads to the formation of hematin hydrochloride crystals in the acidic renal environment, which clog the renal tubules. All this provokes the development of serious kidney diseases.

Hemolysis of erythrocytes also leads to a violation of the blood coagulation system. In fact, when vinegar is poisoned, a burn disease develops.

Is death possible?

A 9% concentration of table vinegar in a small amount will not cause serious harm. But large dosages and the use of a solution of 30% or more can lead to serious consequences. In some cases, even lethal escape is possible.

The following complications are deadly in case of poisoning with acetic acid:

  • the active effect of the substance on the tissue, causing the development of pain shock;
  • loss of large amounts of fluid and internal bleeding;
  • violation of the acidic environment in the body;
  • impaired functioning of the renal system;
  • deviations in the work of the liver caused by blockage of blood vessels;
  • damage to vital systems and organs.

Severity of poisoning

Vinegar poisoning can have various forms of severity. It all depends on the amount of dangerous substance that has entered the body.

Experts distinguish 3 degrees of severity of intoxication with vinegar:

  • mild - develops with the use of 15-40 ml of acetic solution;
  • medium - occurs after taking 40-70 ml of the substance;
  • severe - occurs after ingestion of about 70-250 ml. acetic acid.

Symptoms of poisoning

Symptoms of vinegar poisoning are conventionally divided into two groups:

  • initial;
  • resorptive.

Initial signs include:

  • numerous chemical burns of the mucous surface of the oral cavity, larynx, digestive tract;
  • acute pain in the oral cavity, in the retrosternal zone and epigastrium;
  • repeated vomiting;
  • the presence of blood in the vomit;
  • severe abdominal pain associated with irritation of the peritoneum;
  • wheezing (stridor) breathing, accompanied by noise;
  • swelling of the larynx;
  • hoarseness of voice;
  • profuse salivation;
  • dyspnea;
  • sharp (unpleasant, chemical) smell from the mouth;
  • red urine.

Resorptive signs of poisoning begin to develop some time later, when the dangerous substance is absorbed into the bloodstream. These symptoms include:

  • development of acute nephrosis (kidney disease);
  • azotemia (increased levels of nitrogenous products in the blood);
  • anuria (lack of urine flow to the bladder);
  • hepatopathy (liver damage);
  • disruption of the hemostasis system.

First aid

Acetic acid poisoning is a pathological process that disrupts the functioning of all internal organs. To prevent dangerous consequences, it is important to provide assistance to the victim in a timely manner.

Consider what needs to be done if symptoms of vinegar poisoning are detected:

  1. Rinse your mouth with clean water (room temperature). This water cannot be swallowed, it must be spit out.
  2. Ice can be placed on the abdomen. Cold slows down the absorption of acid into the blood plasma from the gastric mucosa. Or it is worth suggesting that the patient chew 2-3 pieces of ice.
  3. With a strong pain syndrome, it is allowed to use Almagel A, which includes anestezin.
  4. It is strictly forbidden to wash the stomach in a "restaurant" way or to give poisoned drugs to induce vomiting.
  5. In no case should a soda solution be taken orally, since soda and acetic acid will cause a chemical reaction with the formation of a large amount of carbon dioxide. This will cause the stomach to expand and injure the digestive tract.

Features of treatment

Vinegar poisoning cannot be treated at home! It can lead to burn injuries and serious complications. Calling an ambulance is a necessary condition for maintaining the health of the poisoned. In a hospital setting, the necessary treatment method will be selected, taking into account the clinical picture of the disease.

First of all, medical workers take the following measures:

  1. Wash the stomach through a tube using saline.
  2. Pain medications are administered intravenously to eliminate severe pain. For example: Keiver, Ketorolac, Promedol.
  3. Antiemetics are used: Ositron, Cerucal, Metoclopromide.
  4. Plasma or plasma-substituting solutions are administered intravenously.
  5. Corticosteroids are used to prevent the development of a severe shock state. It can be: Dexamethasone, Prednisolone.
  6. To replenish the volume of lost fluid and relieve symptoms of intoxication, solutions such as Disol, Trisol are administered intravenously.
  7. With swelling of the larynx, irrigation with hormones or tracheotomy is used.

Also carried out additionally:

  • hormone therapy;
  • physiotherapy;
  • correction of progressive deviations;
  • prevention of complications.

Possible consequences

1-3 hours after vinegar enters the body, 10% of poisoned people develop acute perforations (violated integrity) of the esophagus and stomach.

Later, the following consequences may develop:

  • gastrointestinal bleeding;
  • the antrum of the stomach and esophagus narrows due to rough scarring of burn sites;
  • pneumonia (aspiration);
  • chronic renal failure;
  • suppuration of burn injuries;
  • purulent inflammation of the trachea or bronchi;
  • chronic gastritis;
  • inflammation of the esophagus;
  • exhaustion of the body and weight loss;
  • violation of acid-base balance and protein metabolism.

The prognosis of poisoning with a solution of vinegar depends on the quality of the assistance provided, the amount of the substance taken, and also on the changes that have occurred in the body.

The most dangerous for life is the initial period of poisoning - the first day after vinegar enters the body, when death is possible due to exotoxic shock or peritonitis.

Prevention measures

To prevent intoxication with vinegar, a number of safety rules must be observed:

  • if possible, do not keep (store) vinegar essence solutions at home. It is best to dilute vinegar with water immediately after purchase (in a ratio of 1:20) or buy ready-made table vinegar;
  • be sure to store the vinegar solution in a place inaccessible to the child, for example, on the top shelves of the kitchen cabinet;
  • when using vinegar solution in the process of marinating or preserving dishes, you should strictly adhere to the recommended dosage.

The ingestion of vinegar in the body in large quantities poses a serious threat to human life and health. Vinegar poisoning is also dangerous. Such a pathological process can result in numerous burn injuries to the respiratory and digestive organs, as well as disrupt the functioning of the whole organism. Therefore, self-medication with this type of poisoning is unacceptable! Consult a doctor - do not aggravate the situation!

poisoning.info

Vinegar poisoning - symptoms, first aid and treatment

Vinegar poisoning belongs to the category of chemical burns that cause serious consequences for the body. Vinegar is used in the food industry, pharmaceutical production, as well as in canning and cooking at home.

How poisoning occurs

Acetic acid has a sharp unpleasant odor and a burning taste. Currently, several varieties of acid are distinguished: vinegar essence, table and food vinegar produced from natural raw materials (for example, apple cider vinegar).

Most often, table vinegar is used in everyday life - in which the concentration of the main substance does not exceed 9%. Acid poisoning belongs to the category of chemical burns, and the way the hazardous substance enters the body does not matter.

The burn is caused by the use of a solution of table vinegar in large volumes or a small dose of 70 percent acetic acid.

Vinegar mainly enters the body through the mouth, burning the mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract and esophagus. The consequences of an overdose can be the saddest.

What leads to death:

  • The strongest pain syndrome.
  • Internal bleeding.
  • tissue necrosis.
  • development of renal failure.

Depending on the amount of acid taken, poisoning can be of several types.

The severity of toxemia:

  1. With a mild level of intoxication, only the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and the larynx are affected. The esophagus and other internal organs remain intact.
  2. The average degree of poisoning is characterized by a burn of the digestive system, urine acquires a light pink tint.
  3. The severe form of poisoning is mainly caused by 70% acetic acid. The victim opens vomiting, breathing becomes difficult, a strong pain syndrome appears in the chest and abdomen, urine becomes bright red. In case of poisoning with vinegar vapor, the organs of the respiratory system are primarily affected.

Symptoms of poisoning

Signs of vinegar poisoning are similar to chemical intoxication.

Symptoms:

  • Burns of the oral cavity.
  • Vomiting blood.
  • From the vapors of vinegar, tearing and sneezing appear.
  • Chest pain.
  • Spasmodic pains in the abdomen.
  • Strong shortness of breath.

The further condition and speed of recovery depend on the timeliness of the first aid provided to the victim.

First aid for poisoning

Vinegar poisoning is mainly due to the negligence of adults and children. Children often mistake bottles with an apple on the label for lemonade and drink the contents. Apple cider vinegar is less dangerous than essence, but in large quantities it also causes serious poisoning. What to do if someone close to you has poisoned yourself with vinegar? First of all, you need to call an ambulance, and before the arrival of doctors, try to provide first aid in case of poisoning.

First aid steps:

  1. Gastric lavage. Cleansing of the digestive organs from the remnants of a dangerous substance is carried out through a probe so that the acid does not re-burn the esophagus on the way back.
  2. It is forbidden to do gastric lavage with soda solution. As a result of the interaction of acetic acid and soda, carbon dioxide is released, which can injure the walls of the esophagus and cause internal bleeding.
  3. Acetic acid poisoning is always accompanied by severe pain. For pain relief, any analgesic is allowed.

Timely provision of primary care will avoid serious complications, and in some cases, death.

When is medical assistance required?

A chemical burn from the use of vinegar requires urgent hospitalization. Children who have drunk any amount of acetic acid or inhaled its vapors must be treated in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

Treatment of intoxication:

  • Elimination of chemical residues from the digestive organs.
  • Decreased concentration of acid in the blood.
  • Regeneration of water and electrolyte balance in the body.
  • Intravenous administration of painkillers.
  • With severe burns of the larynx, the patient is fed through a probe or dropper.

As with any poisoning, a special diet is required after vinegar intoxication.

What is allowed to eat:

  1. Soups on the second broth.
  2. Kashi on the water.
  3. Boiled potatoes, rice, pasta.
  4. Lean meats: chicken fillet, turkey, veal.
  5. Steam omelet.
  6. Dairy products with low fat content.

In case of poisoning, it is forbidden to eat spicy, fried and salty foods, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, citrus fruits, chocolate, honey.

After a severe chemical burn, large scars form on the victim's digestive organs. To eliminate them, bougienage is used - a treatment method in which special tubes of different diameters are inserted into the esophagus.

Possible consequences and prevention

The consequences of vinegar poisoning are very serious. It is impossible to completely restore the esophagus after a chemical burn, even numerous operations do not allow removing all scars from the walls of the digestive tract.

Types of complications.

  • Renal failure.
  • Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Suppuration of places affected by acid.
  • Swelling of the airways caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx.
  • Problems with eating for a long time.

The most dangerous is the first day of the disease - the victim may die from anaphylactic shock. The prognosis as a whole depends on the timeliness of the first aid provided and the amount of acid drunk.

Prevention

Preventing acetic acid poisoning is quite simple - for this you need to follow certain precautions.

Prevention of poisoning:

  1. Keep vinegar out of the reach of children.
  2. If possible, purchase table vinegar, avoiding the use of vinegar essence in everyday life.
  3. During home preparations, use acid according to the recipe.
  4. After using acetic acid, it is necessary to ventilate the room.

Vinegar is a dangerous chemical that poses a threat to human life. If by chance acid poisoning occurs, urgent measures must be taken to provide first aid to the victim. Further treatment of intoxication should be carried out in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

What happens if you drink 0.5 vinegar - video

Acetic acid is a pungent, colorless, clear liquid. This is a strong acid, which, if ingested, can cause irreversible consequences and even death.

In everyday life, acetic acid is used in the form of a solution. A 6-9% acid solution is familiar to everyone as table vinegar, an 80% solution is like vinegar essence. More concentrated solutions are used in industrial settings.

Toxic effect of acetic acid

The impact of acid on the human body is determined by two components:

  • local damaging effect (associated with direct contact of acid with tissues),
  • general (resorptive) - damage to various organs and systems as a result of acid absorption.

The most dangerous and at the same time the most frequent poisoning with acetic acid is associated with its ingestion. Poisoning with acetic acid fumes is rare, and occurs during emergencies at work or in the laboratory. The damaging effect of acid when inhaled can be accompanied by severe damage to the respiratory system, but very rarely ends in death. Household cases of inhalation poisoning with vinegar or vinegar essence are usually limited to mild or moderate damage to the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx, larynx, trachea).

Clinical picture of acetic acid vapor poisoning

Acid vapors in the air cause eye irritation, which is manifested by cutting, burning, and lacrimation. Acetic acid in contact with the respiratory mucosa causes a chemical burn, which is accompanied by inflammation. When inhaling vapors of concentrated acid, there is a sharp pain in the throat and behind the sternum, shortness of breath. As a result of swelling of the larynx, choking and stridor breathing may appear. Damage to the vocal cords is manifested by complete aphonia or, in mild cases, hoarseness. Disturbs excruciating and painful dry cough, which then gives way to a productive one. The sputum at the same time has a mucopurulent character. In severe lesions, toxic pulmonary edema develops. In this case, the sputum becomes abundant, frothy with an admixture of blood. Shortness of breath increases, the skin becomes cyanotic or grayish, tachycardia increases, blood pressure decreases. During auscultation of the lungs, the mass of various wet and dry rales is determined.

In the future, severe inflammatory processes develop in the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Less concentrated solutions of acetic acid are accompanied by a slight flow. May be bothered by sneezing, sore throat, unproductive cough, hoarseness.

The resorptive effect of acid during inhalation poisoning is not pronounced and appears with prolonged inhalation of highly concentrated acid, which manifests itself in the form of metabolic acidosis.

Helping with acetic acid vapor poisoning

First aid is to restore airway patency. Mechanical asphyxia caused by laryngeal edema may require a tracheostomy, in milder cases, decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, if they are ineffective, intubation is performed.

Further treatment includes painkillers, antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids, antispasmodics and anticholinergics. Purulent complications are treated with antibiotics. Symptomatic treatment is carried out.

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