About this episode
Author: Susan Brion M.D. Educational Pearls: Laundry and dishwasher detergent pods resemble candy and can be ingested by children. These tide pods are very highly concentrated and can cause chemical burns of the lips, airway, eyes, mouth and esophagus. The strong bases in detergent pods (pH>12) can cause liquefactive necrosis, which can cause immediate perforation of the esophagus. Common symptoms associated with ingestion of detergent pods include pain, dysphagia, drooling, mediastinal pain, upper airway inflammation. The presence or absence of symptoms does not indicate severity - suspected ingestions should be admitted and undergo bronchoscopy. Mental status should be assessed rapidly because detergent ingestion can lead to CNS depression and aspiration. References: Bonney AG, Mazor S, Goldman RD. Laundry detergent capsules and pediatric poisoning. Canadian Family Physician . 2013;59(12):1295-1296.