First Aid for Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning

First Aid for Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning

Article
Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT)
Eye & Vision
+6
Contributed byMaulik P. Purohit MD MPHMar 01, 2018

What is Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning?

  • Jewelry cleaner fluids constitute a wide range of cleaning agents used for jewelry (gold, silver, and platinum) and semiprecious stones. They may be homemade or purchased from a store
  • Jewelry cleaners may include ammonia-based fluids, detergents, baking soda, vinegar, home cleaning fluids, and other alkalis
  • Store purchased products may include the following brands: Goddard's Jewelry Cleaner, Goddard's Silver Dip, Hagerty Jewelry Cleaner, Weiman Silver Polish, and Wright Silver Cream, among others
  • Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of jewelry cleaner fluid products
  • The condition is diagnosed based upon the clinical history, combination of signs and symptoms, and additional tests (that may include, in some cases, radiological studies and laboratory tests)

Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning may be referred to as the Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Toxicity.

What are the Causes of Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning?

  • Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning is caused by the ingestion of jewelry cleaner fluid used for washing and cleaning purposes. The cleaning fluids may also get into one’s eyes and cause irritation and pain
  • This intake could be accidental, or in some cases intentional, to bring self-harm
  • Jewelry cleaner fluids may be products, such as common soaps and detergents, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), other alkali and ammonia based chemicals, and many others. Some of these chemicals are toxic to human consumption

Note: The compound can interact with other prescribed or non-prescribed medications in the body. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning?

The signs and symptoms of Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning can vary from one individual to another. It may be mild in some and severe in others. The signs and symptoms may include:

  • Breathing difficulties, if the powder or fumes are inhaled. This may also affect the nose, eyes, and throat
  • Burning and associated pain in the mouth, throat, and food-pipe (even the stomach may be burnt)
  • Severe gastrointestinal tract burns may result in perforation of the GI tract
  • Speaking and swallowing difficulties due to swelling of tongue and throat
  • Severe skin irritation and burns (perforations on the skin may be observed)
  • If jewelry cleaner fluid gets in the eye, then eye irritation and pain
  • Loss of vision
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Blood in stool and vomit
  • Sudden decrease in blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Collapse
  • Severe changes in blood pH value affecting many parts of the body and organs

How is First Aid administered for Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning?

First Aid tips for Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning:

  • Call 911 or your local emergency help number immediately, for emergency assistance
  • Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or your local poison control center) for further instructions
  • Provide them with information such as the compound taken, quantity and time of ingestion, age, weight and general health status of affected individual
  • Confirm that the airways are protected; also, ensure breathing and the presence of pulse
  • If exposure of the eye or skin has occurred, then wash thoroughly with copious amounts of water
  • Unless instructed by a healthcare professional, DO NOT induce vomiting in the affected individual
  • Following an ingestion of the substance, immediately give water or milk to drink
  • In case of symptoms that indicate difficulty in swallowing including vomiting or decreased alertness, do not give anything by way of mouth
  • Take individual to emergency room (ER) for further treatment
  • Always try to take the compound bottle/container to the ER

In case of any emergencies, the emergency medical health professional may take the following steps towards treating the condition:

  • Monitor vital signs
  • Medically manage symptoms and provide breathing support, if necessary
  • Administration of pain medication
  • Wash eyes and skin repeatedly and thoroughly (irrigation), to eliminate any remaining compound
  • Surgical treatment for skin burns including removal of burnt skin
  • Administer fluids by an intravenous drip line, if necessary

Who should administer First Aid for Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning?

First aid for Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning is administered by healthcare professionals.

  • The individual who is affected, or someone near, should call 911 for emergency assistance (or the local emergency number)
  • They should also call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow instructions

What is the Prognosis of Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning?

  • The prognosis of Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning is dependent on the amount of substance consumed, time between consumption and treatment, severity of the symptoms, as well as general health status of the patient
  • If the individual can recover from the symptoms, with appropriate medication and early support, the outcome is generally good. The outcome is also dependent on the type of cleaning fluid that was swallowed
  • Severe exposure of body organs (mouth, throat, gastrointestinal tract including stomach) to the chemical can lead to complications and irreversible damage
  • Some jewelry cleaner fluids have the potential to continue causing damage to the affected region, even after exposure is ceased; occasionally, deaths have been reported

In general, toxicities are common situations in the emergency departments. A majority of the cases are often not fatal, when appropriate treatment is given.

How can Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning be Prevented?

Jewelry Cleaner Fluid Poisoning can be prevented by:

  • Always following instructions for usage of any household products
  • Keeping cosmetics, medications, and other healthcare products out of reach of children in child-proof containers
  • Being aware of basic first aid steps in case of an emergency (such as inadvertent poisoning)

What are certain Crucial Steps to be followed?

  • Call 911 (or your local emergency number) for emergency assistance, if symptoms are life-threatening
  • Call Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (or the local poison control center) and follow the recommend steps
  • It would be helpful if the following information is readily available:
    • Type, amount and time of consumption of the substance
    • Age and weight of the individual
    • And, the overall health status of the individual
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH picture
Approved by

Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH

Assistant Medical Director, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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