Sodium hydroxide is a very strong chemical that is also known as lye and caustic soda. This article discusses poisoning from touching, breathing in (inhaling), or swallowing sodium hydroxide.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Alternative NamesLye poisoning; Caustic soda poisoning
Poisonous IngredientSodium hydroxide
Where FoundSodium hydroxide is found in many industrial solvents and cleaners, including flooring stripping products, brick cleaners, cements, and many others.
It may also be found in certain household products, including:
Note: This list is not all-inclusive.
SymptomsSeek 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.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.
If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.
Before Calling EmergencyDetermine the following information:
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 roomThe 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.
Treatment depends on how the poisoning occurred. You will be given pain medicine. Other treatments may include:
How well a patient does depends on how fast the poison is diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, eyes, lungs, esophagus, nose, and stomach are possible.
The ultimate outcome depends on the extent of this damage. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after the poison was swallowed, and death may occur as long as a month later.
ReferencesAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents. Volume III – Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposures: Sodium Hydroxide. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 2002.
Harchelroad FP Jr, Rottinghaus DM. Chemical burns. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 200.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/15/2011
Eric Perez, MD, St. Luke's / Roosevelt Hospital Center, NY, NY, and Pegasus Emergency Group (Meadowlands and Hunterdon Medical Centers), NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The chemical name is Sodium Hydroxide. It is made of Na+ ions and OH- ions.
Potassium Hydroxide is stronger than sodium hydroxide
Copper chloride + Sodium hydroxide --> Copper hydroxide + sodium chloride
Calcium sulphate + Sodium hydroxide > Sodium sulphate + Calcium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is a manmade substance.
The chemical name is Sodium Hydroxide. It is made of Na+ ions and OH- ions.
Sodium hydroxide is basic.
sodium hydroxide is itself a chemical. It can disassociate into a sodium cation and a hydroxide anion
No, sodium hydroxide is a compound.
Potassium Hydroxide is stronger than sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is a very strong chemical that is also known as lye and caustic soda. This article discusses poisoning from touching, breathing in (inhaling), or swallowing sodium hydroxide. On contact, sodium hydroxide turns skin into soap; such chemical "burns" are difficult to treat.
The symbol for Sodium Hydroxide is NaoH
Sodium hydroxide.
Copper chloride + Sodium hydroxide --> Copper hydroxide + sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide is prepared from sodium chloride by the electrolysis of the solution.
Calcium sulphate + Sodium hydroxide > Sodium sulphate + Calcium hydroxide
There is no reaction. "Hydroxide acid" is water, which does not react with sodium hydroxide.