BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCarbolic acid poisoningPhenol poisoning; Phenylic acid poisoning; Hydroxybenzene poisoning; Phenic acid poisoning; Benzenol poisoningCarbolic acid is a sweet-smelling clear liquid. It is added to many different products. Carbolic acid poisoning occurs when someone touches or swallows this chemical.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 the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control 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 Phenol is the harmful substance in carbolic acid. Where Found Carbolic acid can be found in:Adhesive dyes Lubricating oils Perfumes Textiles Various antiseptics Various disinfectants Various germicidesOther products may also contain carbolic acid. Symptoms Below are symptoms of carbolic acid poisoning in different parts of the body.BLADDER AND KIDNEYSBlue- or green-colored urine Decreased urine output No urine output EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROATSevere burns in the mouth and food pipe (esophagus) Yellow eyes (icterus)STOMACH AND INTESTINESAbdominal (stomach) pain - severe Bloody stools Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting - possibly bloodyHEART AND BLOODLow blood pressure (shock) Rapid heart rate LUNGS AND AIRWAYSDeep, rapid breathing Wheezing Trouble breathing (may be life threatening if inhaled) NERVOUS SYSTEMComa (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness) ComaDecreased alertness is the most severe state of reduced awareness and is a serious condition. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a p...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures (convulsions) SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure" is often...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hyperactivity HyperactivityHyperactivity means having increased movement, impulsive actions, and a shorter attention span, and being easily distracted.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of alertness (stupor) SKINBlue lips and fingernails (cyanosis) Blue lips and fingernailsA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Burns Yellow skin (jaundice)WHOLE BODYExcessive thirst Heavy sweating Home Care Get medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.If the person swallowed the carbolic acid, give them water or milk right away, if a provider tells you to. Do not give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness.If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:Person's age, weight, and condition Name of product (and ingredients and strength, if known) Time it was swallowed Amount swallowed Poison Control Your local poison control 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 national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 container to the hospital with you, if possible.The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Tests that may be done include:Blood and urine tests Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to look for burns in the airways and lungs Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing) Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to look for burns in the esophagus and the stomachTreatment may include:Fluids through a vein (by IV) Laxative Medicines to relieve pain Skin creams to treat burns Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator) Outlook (Prognosis) How well someone does depends on how much carbolic acid was swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the poison was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month later.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Phenols. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:688-692.Levine MD. Chemical injuries. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 57.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 11/13/2021 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Carbolic acid poisoningPhenol poisoning; Phenylic acid poisoning; Hydroxybenzene poisoning; Phenic acid poisoning; Benzenol poisoningCarbolic acid is a sweet-smelling clear liquid. It is added to many different products. Carbolic acid poisoning occurs when someone touches or swallows this chemical.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 the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control 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 Phenol is the harmful substance in carbolic acid. Where Found Carbolic acid can be found in:Adhesive dyes Lubricating oils Perfumes Textiles Various antiseptics Various disinfectants Various germicidesOther products may also contain carbolic acid. Symptoms Below are symptoms of carbolic acid poisoning in different parts of the body.BLADDER AND KIDNEYSBlue- or green-colored urine Decreased urine output No urine output EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROATSevere burns in the mouth and food pipe (esophagus) Yellow eyes (icterus)STOMACH AND INTESTINESAbdominal (stomach) pain - severe Bloody stools Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting - possibly bloodyHEART AND BLOODLow blood pressure (shock) Rapid heart rate LUNGS AND AIRWAYSDeep, rapid breathing Wheezing Trouble breathing (may be life threatening if inhaled) NERVOUS SYSTEMComa (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness) ComaDecreased alertness is the most severe state of reduced awareness and is a serious condition. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a p...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures (convulsions) SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure" is often...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hyperactivity HyperactivityHyperactivity means having increased movement, impulsive actions, and a shorter attention span, and being easily distracted.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of alertness (stupor) SKINBlue lips and fingernails (cyanosis) Blue lips and fingernailsA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Burns Yellow skin (jaundice)WHOLE BODYExcessive thirst Heavy sweating Home Care Get medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.If the person swallowed the carbolic acid, give them water or milk right away, if a provider tells you to. Do not give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness.If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:Person's age, weight, and condition Name of product (and ingredients and strength, if known) Time it was swallowed Amount swallowed Poison Control Your local poison control 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 national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 container to the hospital with you, if possible.The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Tests that may be done include:Blood and urine tests Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to look for burns in the airways and lungs Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing) Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to look for burns in the esophagus and the stomachTreatment may include:Fluids through a vein (by IV) Laxative Medicines to relieve pain Skin creams to treat burns Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator) Outlook (Prognosis) How well someone does depends on how much carbolic acid was swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the poison was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month later.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Phenols. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:688-692.Levine MD. Chemical injuries. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 57.
