SOS

[Jasmyne]

What happens when you accidentally breathe in some of the sodium hydroxide fumes when mixing lye solution? Do you go to ER?

 

[szaza]

Hey @Jasmyne ! If you're just mixing sodium hydroxide lye in distilled water the E R is probably not necessary.. I'm not a doctor nor a chemist, but I've made soap and breathed in some fumes when mixing lye without repercussions that I know of. Here's a link to a topic on another forum about these fumes.
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=44990.0
In case you have trouble breathing you might want to considerans a trip to the doctor, but otherwise I think you'll be fine

Just to make sure.. we are talking about the fumes when mixing, not the powder itself right? Because if you breathe in the powder you do need to go to the er!

 

[IrishLass]

I've also accidentally breathed in some of the fumes from mixing lye solution (enough to cause a coughing fit for about a minute). That was early on in my soapy endeavors and I'm fine (didn't go to the ER), but I made sure to never let it happen again.


IrishLass

 

[lsg]

Same here, no ER, just made sure I was in well ventilated area from then on.

 

[Dawni]

I've had one experience with the fumes from the flakes when I was starting.. I was using a spoon to transfer my lye from the jar on to a plastic tub sitting on the scale and I accidentally dumped a spoonful rather abruptly, not slowly like usual.

I had a fan on, but it felt like something got caught in your throat. I wear glasses sometimes and face masks are cumbersome so I didn't have one on at the time.

Never experienced that again thankfully. I still don't always wear a mask lol but I put my shirt over my nose when I weigh and mix my lye when I'm not. Bad form, I know

 

[DeeAnna]

It depends on how much you breathed in and how you feel now.

If you are coughing a lot and your chest hurts like you have pneumonia or a chest cold, go to the ER!

If you have lung problems (asthma, COPD, etc.) and you breathe in any amount even if you feel okay, I'd suggest you go to the ER or go TODAY to your regular clinic. Not tomorrow ... today.

If you have mild, short lived symptoms like the others have described, you're probably okay to do home care. Wash your face well. If you have a neti pot, use it to flush out your nose and sinuses. Blow your nose as needed to remove any residues.

I'm hoping it was just a minor scare and you feel okay now. Please let us know how things turn out for you.....

 

[Carolyne Thrasher]

I've had one experience with the fumes from the flakes when I was starting.. I was using a spoon to transfer my lye from the jar on to a plastic tub sitting on the scale and I accidentally dumped a spoonful rather abruptly, not slowly like usual.

I had a fan on, but it felt like something got caught in your throat. I wear glasses sometimes and face masks are cumbersome so I didn't have one on at the time.

Never experienced that again thankfully. I still don't always wear a mask lol but I put my shirt over my nose when I weigh and mix my lye when I'm not. Bad form, I know

Glasses are such a pain.

 

[KiwiSoap]

Glasses are such a pain.

But less of a pain than when that soap batter winds up in your eye .. I've seen the photos! Safety first!

 

[lsg]

But less of a pain than when that soap batter winds up in your eye .. I've seen the photos! Safety first!

How true. I wear safety glasses over my regular glasses when making soap.