Home / The types of poisonings: food, chemical, mushrooms etc. / Poisoning by drugs, medicaments / The boric acid poisoning in humans: symptoms, treatment

The boric acid poisoning in humans: symptoms, treatment

Initially, boric acid used as antiseptic is poisonous carbolic acid. But it soon became clear that it is a weak antiseptic, moreover, the boric acid poisoning in humans may cause his death. For example, in medical practice there were cases when she washed the cavity, and it sosassist through mucous membranes, caused the death of the patient.

Despite this it is still possible to freely purchase at the pharmacy.

Description of the substance and scope

Boric acid is a white fine crystalline powder or greasy to the touch flakes, which are readily soluble in water and alcohol.

In medicine it is applied a 2% aqueous solution for washing eyes, with a 3% solution make various poultices for skin diseases.

Alcohol solutions to treat ear infections, used as an antiseptic to prevent secondary infection in various diseases of the skin.

Boric ointment is used for head lice.

Its powder is used for the injection after surgery on the middle ear.

In everyday life it is used as poison against cockroaches. To do this, mix with chicken egg yolk, and roll up the resulting mixture balls, then spread out in the room that you are pest control. Is it possible to poison this lure Pets? Yes, so it is desirable to remove - time until the bait is scattered around the apartment.

In agriculture it is included in the fertilizer composition. With its help it is possible to prevent the decay of plants and increase yields. In addition, it is used as a preservative in the manufacture of soap, and is included in the liquid composition for contact lenses.

To boric acid absorbed through mucous membranes, oral ingestion, through intact skin. Once inside, it accumulates in the visceral organs, many in tears, intestines and gall bladder. Excreted slowly, with the regular introduction of cumulates.

Especially well it is adsorbed through the mucous membranes and skin of babies. In children the first year of life quickly comes intoxication, which can result in the death of a child. To get into the kid's body boric acid can breastfeeding, if a woman is on her solution was treated with the nipple of the breast.

Within 12 hours half the dose of boric acid, once ingested, is excreted in the urine, the rest through the week. Lethal dosage of boric acid for a person if taken orally is 0.5 g per kilogram of body weight.

The clinical picture of poisoning

In case of poisoning by boric acid the symptoms are the following:

  • profuse vomiting, often with blood;
  • lethargy, poor appetite;
  • thirst;
  • diarrhea, which can also be blood;
  • pain in the abdomen;
  • in some cases, vomiting and the stools may be blue-green color;
  • redness of the skin, especially the buttocks, feet, hands;
  • rashes that resemble measles or scarlet fever;
  • after 24-48 hours after redness, the skin begins to peel off;
  • muscle twitching, tremor, convulsions;
  • hypotension;
  • metabolic acidosis;
  • swelling of the brain;
  • anuria;
  • swelling of the external genitalia;
  • coma and death of patient.

Violations of the kidney develop because of direct effects of the poison, and also as a result of dehydration due to vomiting and upset stomach.

In chronic poisoning, when boric acid enters the body all the time, but in a small number of observed hair loss, disorders of the menstrual cycle and seizures.

As you can see boric acid can cause harm to the body and quite serious.

While conducting laboratory tests can detect:

  • azotemia;
  • proteinuria;
  • hematuria;
  • the high content in the urine of epithelial cylinders.

The severity of poisoning depends on the age of the patient's immunity and the amount of boric acid taken into the body. It is especially difficult in children and patients of older age group.

First aid

At acute poisoning with boric acid you should immediately call an ambulance. Prior to her arrival, the victim should wash the stomach. With this purpose he is given to drink clean water and press on the root of the tongue. You cannot replace water with a solution of potassium permanganate, as it can cause burning of the esophagus.

Artificial vomiting is contraindicated:

  • patients in an unconscious state;
  • pregnant women;
  • infants;
  • persons with a high risk of bleeding from the digestive tract, for example due to comorbidities or recent operations on the gastrointestinal tract.

If the victim has a vomiting, then stop. Child who can choke on vomit, you need to put yourself on your knees face down.

Give the victim activated the corner, and other adsorbing agents does not make sense, as boric acid does not interact with them and can't with their help bring it out of the body. In parallel with gastric lavage, saline laxative. To prevent dehydration give the means for oral rehydration.

You also needremember that a specific antidote boric acid does not exist, so treatment is symptomatic. The hospital conducted a blood transfusion, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Poisoning in animals

Pets may also be poisoned by boric acid. Poisoning can occur not only when released into the digestive tract, but also through the damaged skin. Signs of intoxication they develop for a maximum of 2 days, after 1 hour can appear the first symptoms.

So, poisoning in dogs may indicate the following:

  • vomiting;
  • bloody loose stools;
  • lowering body temperature to 36-37 degrees;
  • bradycardia;
  • red rashes on the belly.

In addition, the dogs change their behavior. They hide in the corner, sitting hunched over, or shake my head.

In cases of poisoning in cats observed:

  • lethargy and weakness;
  • dyspepsia;
  • excessive thirst;
  • red rash on the body.

In severe cases, the cat develops seizures, sclera and mucous membranes turn yellow, then observed coma and death of a pet.

In case of poisoning by boric acid in cats and dogs, there is often twitching of muscles. With the development of symptoms of intoxication need to contact the vet, as every minute counts. Especially hard is the poisoning in puppies and kittens.

The lethal dose of harrow acids in animals is 7-15 g per 10 kg of body weight. You need to remember that the injured pet, do not feed or water, or perhaps the deterioration of his health. All actions are carried out only with the permission of the veterinarian.

Measures of emergency aid in cases of poisoning in animals include the following activities:

  • gastric lavage through the probe;
  • forced diuresis;
  • recovery of water-salt balance;
  • elimination of acidosis.

All assistance will be provided in case of poisoning by boric acid depends not only the health of the victim in the future, but perhaps his life, therefore, is as early as possible to seek qualified help.