Why do some warning lables say to not induce vomiting if the product is swallowed?

Question

A lot of household chemicals have that warning label. Apparently, it is not good to throw-up after someone accidentally swalled that chemical. Why?

Sorry, I am an idiot. I meant labels.

Answer 1

If it burned going down, it will burn again coming back up. In these cases, it is better to neutralize the acid with milk or oil, or other substance. Call 911, let the ER staff pump the stomach.

Answer 2

The swallowed substance could cause additional damage to the esophagus if it comes back up. Remember, the stomach is lined with mucous and filled with hydrochloric acid. It can handle some pretty tough stuff. Below is an example from POISON TREATMENTS by Gary L. Smith, Extension Agricultural Engineer at the University of Maryland

Swallowed Poisons

The most important decision you have to make when aiding a person who has swallowed a pesticide is whether to induce vomiting or not. The decision must be made quickly and accurately; the victim's life may depend on it. Usually it is best to get rid of the swallowed poison fast. But: NEVER induce vomiting if the victim is unconscious or is in convulsions. The victim could choke to death on vomitus.

Find out what poison has been ingested. NEVER induce vomiting if the victim has swallowed a corrosive poison. A corrosive poison is a strong acid or alkali (base) such as dinoseb (DN Compounds). The victim will complain of severe pain and have signs of severe mouth and throat burns. A corrosive poison wil burn the throat and mouth as severely coming up as it did going down.

Most labels on emulsifiable concentrate and solution formulations suggest the victim should not have vomiting induced. However, when the toxicity of the pesticide is marked, its removal may be essential.

Answer 3

do not induce vomiting for a couple of reasons. One, there is the risk of aspirating the substance into your lungs when you vomit. Two, the substances that we tell people not to vomit up are usually cleansers or bleach or other caustic substances. The reason you don't vomit these up is that the liquid already caused damage to the esophagus on the way down and vomiting it up will only expose your esophagus to more damage. Once the ammonia or bleach, for example, has reached the stomach the stomach will secrete acid and fluids to dilute the caustic substance. In addition, the stomach has a protective lining which the esophagus lacks, and can thus withstand being in contact with the caustic substance.

Answer 4

The warnings say to not induce vomiting with some chemicals because it could get into the lungs and also do more damage to the throat coming up.

Answer 5

Mainly because of the pH. A neutral pH is 7. 0-6 is acidic. 8-14 is basic. Many chemicals that are accidentally ingested will burn all the way up because of their non-neutral pH. Not only will this cause terrible damage, but it is likely to be aspirated and burn or impair breathing. Always best to have your local poison control number posted by at least one phone in your house, especially if you have kids.

Answer 6

Some caustic chemicals do more damage in the esophagus and throat than stomach and vomiting would merely do more damage coming back out.

Answer 7

same reason it says DO NOT EAT on a tube of preperation H.. and chainsaws have warning lables that say DO NOT USE ON GENITALS.. becuase stupidity knows no bounds unlike geneous which has its limits..

Different poisons do different things a neurotoxin needs to treated differently than a endotoxin... so DON'T SWALLOW THE C R A P IN THE FIRST PLACE and there will never be a problem...lol

Answer 8

Anything regional. Champagne, Stilton cheese, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies.

Answer 9

Some chemicals are so acidic that vomiting would only cause more damage.

Answer 10

i assume that you will cause more damage if the chemical comes back up your esophagus. You might burn a whole right thru with all the acid???