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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Shortness Of Breath While Using Clorox?

Earlier today I was cleaning an apartment for my dad. I was wiping down the walls and he had a bottle of Clorox spray. I sprayed the walls down and wiped them clean, but thought the smell was unusually stronger then I was use to. The windows were closed so the room was not well ventilated. My eyes started to burn like I got Clorox in them and I was confused because I didn t touch my face and wasn t sure if it got in my eyes or if it was from the fumes. I had to run outside because my eyes burned so bad and tears were streaming down my face. I went home and wasn t feeling well. My throat doesn t burn or my eyes anymore, but I seem to have shortness of breath. My breathing doesn t seem right. I ve been tired all day too! It s late and I can t sleep because it seems so stuffy. I started to research what happens when you inhale Clorox fumes and one of the things I read alarmed me about viniger being mixed with Clorox. I didn t mix it, but my dad said he wasn t sure if it was Clorox from the bottle, but believed he poured bleach in the bottle to refill it. On top of that when I was wiping down the wall he said he had a jug that he thought was water, but was viniger accidentally that he poured into bucket. That was when I think I burned my lungs. It s 2 am and I can t call anyone, but I m worried and it s Sunday so I can t call my Dr. Until Monday. I m hoping it will be ok to wait until Monday! I guess I m hoping you can give me advice on what you think happened and if I m being paranoid or I should really worry. Also will I have long term damage.
Mon, 20 Nov 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

PLEASE HURRY!

Sodium Hypochlorite is a very dangerous substance when used in high concentrations. Your description tells me that it has been mixed with vinegar which contains ammonia and the reaction yields a poisonous byproduct. At lower doses it should only irritate your eyes and throat and you should be free of symptoms in a day. Since you complain of Respiratory breathing difficulty it is to be evaluated IMMEDIATELY.

Kindly proceed to nearby emergency. If at all it is not possible then please buy a tablet or a nasal inhaler of ALBUTEROL. It should help you breathe easily


The outcome of this poisoning is extremely good when it is managed within sufficient time. So TIME IS OF ESSENCE. Hope you recover soon


Dr. Karan Shekar.
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What Causes Shortness Of Breath While Using Clorox?

Hello, PLEASE HURRY! Sodium Hypochlorite is a very dangerous substance when used in high concentrations. Your description tells me that it has been mixed with vinegar which contains ammonia and the reaction yields a poisonous byproduct. At lower doses it should only irritate your eyes and throat and you should be free of symptoms in a day. Since you complain of Respiratory breathing difficulty it is to be evaluated IMMEDIATELY. Kindly proceed to nearby emergency. If at all it is not possible then please buy a tablet or a nasal inhaler of ALBUTEROL. It should help you breathe easily The outcome of this poisoning is extremely good when it is managed within sufficient time. So TIME IS OF ESSENCE. Hope you recover soon Dr. Karan Shekar.