iSymptom

ConditionInjuries & poisoning

Chemical Exposure: First Aid and Symptoms

Chemical exposure means coming into contact with a harmful substance by touching it, splashing it in the eyes, breathing it in, or swallowing it. Common sources are household cleaners, pool chemicals, pesticides, solvents, fuels, industrial chemicals and gases such as chlorine, ammonia and carbon monoxide. Effects range from mild skin or eye irritation to burns, breathing failure and poisoning. The most important first step is to remove the person from the source and flush the skin or eyes with plenty of water, then call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the US).

Also called: Toxic chemical exposure, chemical contact injury, chemical poisoning, hazardous materials exposure

By the iSymptom editorial team · Updated · 5 min read

At a glance

Routes
Skin contact, eye splash, inhalation of fumes or gases, and swallowing.
First aid
Get away from the source, remove contaminated clothing, flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 15 to 20 minutes, get fresh air.
Call
Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 (US) for advice. Call 911 or your local emergency number for breathing trouble, collapse, seizures or major burns.
Common culprits
Bleach mixed with ammonia or acids, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, pesticides, solvents, and carbon monoxide.
Delayed effects
Some gases cause lung swelling hours later, so monitoring may be needed even if you feel better.

When to get help

Call 911 or go to the ER

  • Trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing blood, or bluish lips after inhaling fumes
  • Unconsciousness, confusion, seizures or collapse
  • A chemical splash in the eye: start flushing immediately with water for at least 15 to 20 minutes, then call 911 or your local emergency number
  • Swallowing a corrosive (drain cleaner, oven cleaner, battery acid, dishwasher pods) with drooling, vomiting, mouth burns, or trouble swallowing
  • Large or deep chemical burns, or burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals or over joints
  • Several people with headache, dizziness or nausea in the same building (possible carbon monoxide). Get everyone outside

See a doctor within a day or two

  • Persistent cough, hoarseness or chest discomfort after fume exposure, even if mild
  • Skin that blisters or remains painful after flushing
  • Any swallowed chemical, even without symptoms: call Poison Control right away

Book a routine appointment

  • Mild skin redness or itching from repeated contact with cleaning products at work
  • Recurrent cough, wheeze or rash linked to your workplace

First aid for chemical exposure

Protect yourself first: wear gloves if available, do not enter an area with unknown gas, and do not touch the chemical with bare hands.

On the skin

  1. Remove contaminated clothing, jewelry and watches, cutting clothes off rather than pulling them over the head.
  2. Brush off dry powders first (such as lime) before flushing.
  3. Flush the skin with cool running water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Alkalis such as lye may need longer.
  4. Do not try to neutralize acids with alkalis or vice versa: the reaction produces heat.
  5. Cover burns loosely with clean, dry cloth.

See chemical burns.

In the eyes

  1. Flush immediately with clean, lukewarm water, holding the eyelids open, for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Use a shower, eyewash station or gently poured water.
  2. Remove contact lenses if they come out easily, and keep flushing.
  3. Do not rub the eyes.
  4. Go to an emergency department. Alkali burns are especially dangerous to sight.

See chemical burns of the eye.

Inhaled fumes or gas

  1. Get to fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors if it is safe.
  2. Loosen tight clothing and sit upright.
  3. Call 911 or your local emergency number for breathing problems or reduced alertness.
  4. If the person is not breathing, start CPR.

Swallowed

  1. Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) or 911 or your local emergency number right away.
  2. Do not make the person vomit unless instructed.
  3. If the person is alert and able to swallow, poison control may advise a small amount of water or milk for some corrosives. Follow their instructions.
  4. Keep the product container to show responders.

Symptoms by type of exposure

ExposureCommon symptoms
SkinRedness, burning, itching, blisters, white or dark burned skin, rash
EyesPain, tearing, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, cloudy cornea
Inhaled irritant gasesCough, sore throat, hoarseness, chest tightness, wheeze, breathlessness
Inhaled toxic gases (such as CO)Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, drowsiness, collapse
Swallowed corrosivesMouth and throat pain, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, chest or belly pain
Solvents and fuelsDizziness, headache, drowsiness, cough if aspirated into lungs
Pesticides (organophosphates)Sweating, drooling, tears, small pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, breathing difficulty

Common household and workplace exposures

  • Bleach mixed with ammonia (some glass cleaners, urine) releases chloramine gas. Bleach mixed with acids (toilet bowl cleaners, vinegar) releases chlorine gas. Both cause cough, chest tightness and eye irritation. See chlorine gas exposure.
  • Drain and oven cleaners (strong alkalis) cause deep burns of skin, eyes and throat.
  • Pool chemicals release chlorine.
  • Laundry and dishwasher pods are a risk for young children.
  • Carbon monoxide from faulty heaters, generators or cars in garages is odorless and can kill.
  • Hydrofluoric acid (rust removers) can cause deep tissue damage and dangerous calcium drops with little initial pain.
  • Occupational chemicals such as isocyanates, solvents and cleaning agents can cause asthma and dermatitis over time.

Medical treatment

Hospitals may provide:

  • continued irrigation of skin and eyes, with pH testing of the eye
  • oxygen, inhaled bronchodilators and monitoring for delayed lung swelling (chemical pneumonitis), which can develop up to 24 hours after some gas exposures
  • endoscopy after swallowing corrosives to assess damage
  • specific antidotes for certain poisons, such as atropine for organophosphates, hyperbaric oxygen for severe carbon monoxide poisoning, and calcium gluconate for hydrofluoric acid
  • burn care, pain relief and tetanus updates

Prevention

  • Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia or acids.
  • Store chemicals in their original labeled containers, locked away from children.
  • Ventilate when cleaning and wear gloves and eye protection.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home.
  • Follow workplace safety data sheets and use protective equipment.
  • Keep the Poison Control number saved in your phone.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do after chemical exposure to the skin?

Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry, brush off any dry powder, and rinse the skin under cool running water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Then call Poison Control for advice. Seek emergency care for large burns, blisters, or burns on the face, hands or genitals.

What are the symptoms of inhaling chemical fumes?

Common symptoms are coughing, sore throat, burning eyes and nose, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide cause headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion. Get to fresh air and call for help if breathing is affected.

How long do symptoms last after chemical exposure?

Mild irritation usually settles within hours to a day after the exposure ends. Some gases, such as chlorine and phosgene, can cause lung swelling up to a day later. Eye burns and corrosive injuries can take weeks to heal. Ask Poison Control or a doctor about monitoring.

Should I make someone vomit after swallowing a chemical?

No. Inducing vomiting can cause more damage to the throat and lungs, especially with corrosives and fuels. Call Poison Control or 911 or your local emergency number and follow their instructions.

What happens if you mix bleach and ammonia?

Mixing them releases chloramine gas, which irritates the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, causing coughing, chest pain, breathlessness and watery eyes. Leave the area, get fresh air and call Poison Control. Severe breathing problems need emergency care.

Sources

This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:

  • CDC/ATSDR: Medical Management Guidelines for Toxic Exposures
  • America's Poison Centers: What to do in a poison emergency
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology: Chemical eye burns first aid
  • MedlinePlus: Poisoning first aid; Chemical burns
  • OSHA: Hazard Communication and First Aid