Antiseptic in mouth.

[LordBerners]

Not really HIV related, but its a health care question:  Have any of you ever used antiseptic in the mouth by accident?  I saw something called 'Dettol' at the pharmacy next to the Listerine, so, assuming it was a mouthwash, I grabbed it, bought it, and washed out my mouth with it.  OUCH - it was awful, and it caused me to foam at the mouth, gag, and have to spit for like 20 minutes.  Painful and I feel like I've burned the inside of my mouth.  Also I feel like my ability to taste is reduced. 

Apparently Dettol is some kind of extremely powerful, caustic antiseptic for topical use.  I wish things were better labelled here - mostly just labelled in Thai other than the brand name, so you have to just guess what it is.  Why the dumbasses put it next to the Listerine is beyond me.

Anyway, is there any reason I should be concerned I've caused long term problems for my mouth?  Or will it just feel better in a few days?  God knows I love to eat, and I'm worried about my taste buds.

[rondrond]

Baron,

Ouch...I would definitely call  my doctor and get his advice. I also would have a talk with the manager of the store. They should not have cleaning supplies on the same shelf as toiletries.

Of course, if it was just one bottle as opposed to an entire display, a shopper could have put it there having changed their mind while shopping and not wanting to retrace their steps.

Read the labels on new products. Don't want to hear that you're in the hospital due to a mouthwash incident.

[LordBerners]

Hi Rondrond, thanks for your reply.  Yeah this was a whole display, not just one misplaced bottle, and I can't read the labels because they're in Thai language (only the brand name in Latin characters).  But I think it was a kind of disinfectant for cuts and scrapes, I'm guessing, rather than a cleaning fluid.

But I am quite worried.. I simply can't taste anything for the last 10 hours or so - it is a mighty strange feeling to put food in your mouth and taste nothing.. or drink a Coke and not taste any 'sweet'.   I sure hope the little taste buds grow back!

[RW75]

As a child I  experienced the horror of dettol taken oraly by mistake.  Despite the terrible taste it really will have done no harm, it is however a great cleaning agent.  I use it regulaly to clean my kitchen floor and counter tops.
Hope you are feeling better now!

[LordBerners]

Thanks RW, glad to know I'm not the only one.  I am feeling just a little better but still can't really taste much of anything.  I'm monitoring it closely and it does seem like I can taste just a tiny little bit now, so it may be coming back, but very, very slowly. 

[YaKaMein]

Berners,
The mouth heals quickly and you should be fine. You may have topically burned the mouth and tongue even if you did a quick swish and spit. If you rinsed repeatedly and thoroughly, you got it all out. If you swallowed much, seek medical attention or poison control. If you swallowed little or none just keep hydrated and watch for any nausea or vomiting. You might have the cleanest mouth around right now. -YaKa