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Hydrofluoric acid poisoning

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Alternative Names   

Fluorhydric acid

Definition    Return to top

Hydrofluoric acid is a very strong inorganic acid. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing, breathing in, or touching hydrofluoric acid.

Poisonous Ingredient    Return to top

Hydrofluoric acid

Where Found    Return to top

This acid is most commonly used for industrial purposes. It is used in:

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms    Return to top

From swallowing:

From breathing in (inhaling) the acid:

From touching the acid:

Home Care    Return to top

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

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Immediately take the person to the hospital.

Before Calling Emergency    Return to top

Determine the following information:

Poison Control    Return to top

If you suspect possible poisoning, seek emergency medical care immediately.

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 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.

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

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room    Return to top

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

Specific treatment depends on how the poisoning occurred.

If the person swallowed the poison, treatment may include:

If the person touched the poison, he or she will be monitored and treated for signs of body-wide poisoning. Treatment may include:

If the person breathed in the poison, treatment may include:

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Hydroflouric acid is especially dangerous. The most common accidents occur with hydroflouric acid causing severe burns on the skins and hands. The burns may be extremely painful. Patients will have a lot of scarring and some loss of function of the area involved.

Persons who swallow hydroflouric acid can have a lot of damage to the inside organs, which can lead to a painful death.

References    Return to top

Chemical Emergencies: Case Definition: Hydrofluoric Acid. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2005.

Seamens CM, Seger DL, Meredith T. Hydrofluoric acid. In: Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T, eds. Clinical toxicology. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001:1019-26.

Update Date: 8/9/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.