Acetone Poisoning

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Acetone is an organic compound belonging to the ketone class. It is widely used in industry and in everyday life. The turnover of acetone with a concentration of over 60% is under control, since it can be used in the synthesis of narcotic drugs, that is, it is a precursor.

Source: depositphotos.com

Poisoning with this chemical is not uncommon, and they are not only exogenous (that is, when the poison comes from the outside), but also endogenous. The fact is that in the human body, with some metabolic disorders, acetone can be synthesized in an amount that can cause intoxication.

How does acetone poisoning occur?

From the outside, acetone can enter the body by oral, inhalation or through the skin. It is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body, having a toxic effect on all organs, but primarily on the brain tissue. Acetone is excreted very slowly through the lungs and kidneys.

Only 50.0 ml of acetone taken by mouth can be fatal.

With long-term adherence to a low-carbohydrate diet, the body experiences an energy deficit, for which it begins to consume glycogen. Glycogen stores are small and quickly depleted. And then the body covers the lack of energy due to the decomposition of fats. This is accompanied by the production of ketone bodies, in which case acetone can cause endogenous poisoning.

In diabetes mellitus, due to a lack of insulin, the body cannot use glucose for energy and therefore also triggers the mechanism for breaking down fats with the formation of ketones.

Poisoning symptoms

The following symptoms are characteristic of acetone poisoning:

redness of the eyes;
irritation of the respiratory tract;
inflammation and swelling of the oropharyngeal mucosa;
the smell of acetone from the mouth;
excruciating nausea, repeated vomiting;
intense abdominal pain;
headache;
violation of coordination of movements;
marked decrease in pressure (hypotension);
fainting;
severe drowsiness;
hallucinations.

In severe acetone poisoning, the functions of the liver and kidneys are severely affected, which is manifested by the development of jaundice, a sharp decrease in urine output, and edema.

If the production of acetone increases in the human body for one reason or another, then a state of ketoacidosis develops, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

nausea and repeated vomiting;
the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth (rotten apples, fumes, acetone);
decreased appetite;
rapid noisy breathing;
the development of abdominal syndrome;
dehydration;
subfebrile fever;
tachycardia;
decreased urine output.

Source: depositphotos.com

First aid for acetone poisoning

If the poisoning is caused by inhalation of acetone vapors, then the victim should be urgently taken to fresh air.

In case of oral poisoning with acetone, the stomach is washed. The patient is given a few glasses of warm salted water to drink and vomiting, irritating the root of the tongue. This procedure should be repeated several times until the washings stop smelling like acetone.

It is imperative to take an absorbing drug, for example, Activated carbon in a dosage of 1 tab. for every 10 kg of body weight.

A victim in a fainting state is brought to life with the help of a cotton ball moistened with ammonia, brought to the nose.

When is medical attention needed?

In case of acetone poisoning, qualified medical attention is always needed.

In the hospital, the patient is given long-term oxygen therapy, this helps to quickly remove acetone from the body. Also, to accelerate the elimination of acetone, forced diuresis is shown.

In case of oral poisoning with acetone, treatment begins with gastric lavage through a tube.

Therapy of ketoacidosis, that is, endogenous acetone poisoning, begins with the establishment of the cause that caused it and taking measures to eliminate it. Medical correction of all accompanying disorders is also carried out.

Possible consequences

Acetone poisoning can be complicated by pneumonia, acute liver and kidney failure. Severe acetone poisoning is accompanied by a significant acute disorder of the functions of internal organs, which can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Prevention

When working with acetone in high concentration, it is imperative to use personal protective equipment (respirator, rubber gloves). During and after work, it is necessary to actively ventilate the room.

All household chemicals that contain acetone should be kept out of the reach of children. The packages must be marked accordingly.

The best prevention of ketoacidosis is adequate treatment of diabetes mellitus and other diseases that can cause this condition. In an effort to lose weight, you should follow a diet that is balanced in nutrient content.

Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author

Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.

Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!