Soap ingestion Health Article

Definition

Soap ingestion occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally eats or swallows soap.

Alternative Names

Soap - swallowing

Poisonous Ingredient

Most bar soaps are considered harmless (non-toxic).

Where Found

• Various bar soaps

Symptoms

• Contact dermatitis (redness and local irritation)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Home Treatment

DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national 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 U.S. 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.

Note: You may not need to go to the emergency room.

Expectations (prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received.

Patients usually recover.