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Dishwashing Detergent

Low Risk

Also known as:

Ajax® Dawn® dishwashing liquid dish detergent Gain® hand dish soap Palmolive®

Someone using dish gloves, squeezing dish soap onto a sponge besides a sink with running water.
Possible Symptoms
  • unpleasant taste
  • mouth and throat irritation
  • nausea and vomiting
  • eye irritation
What to Do
  1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
  2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
  3. Rinse any exposed skin with lukewarm water.
  4. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.
If Exposed to Eyes
  1. Start rinsing eye(s) with lukewarm water.
  2. Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further recommendations.

Additional Information

Quick Facts about dishwashing detergent:

Dishwashing detergent can come in vibrant colors or candy-like pods or tablets. This makes it particularly tempting for young children, who may be attracted to detergent and get it in their mouths.

Automatic dishwashing detergents have ingredients like corrosion inhibitors and strong alkalis that are meant for dishwashers and make them different from hand dishwashing soaps. These ingredients also make them more toxic.  Available in powder or granules, gel, tablets, or pods, ADDs can irritate the mouth and throat, or cause nausea and vomiting if swallowed. If dishwashing detergent gets in a child’s eyes, it can also cause irritation and pain. That’s why if you notice that your child has handled dishwashing detergent, it’s important to call right away.

If your child has ingested dishwashing detergent, it is important not to panic. Most children will react to the taste and may cough or gag. Take the detergent away from the child and wipe their mouth out with a soft wet cloth. You may give them some water to drink to get the taste out of their mouth. Do not try to induce vomiting. Be sure to wash any exposed skin with soap and water.

After you have removed your child from the situation, immediately call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.  Treatment recommendations are often determined by the amount ingested. The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions and our team of medical professionals will help to walk you through the next steps.

Take The Missouri Poison Center With You

Emergencies don’t wait for you, so you shouldn’t have to wait to call for help. Get the Missouri Poison Center app with poison information and a link to the Poison Help Line. It is just a click away during the most stressful moments. Our registered nurses and pharmacists are here 24/7/365 days a year to help guide you through poison exposures and overdose emergencies.

Don’t wait. Download now.

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