Dettol Poisoning: Clinical Features and Management

Dettol is a common household disinfectant and is freely available in certain countries such as UK, India and Hong Kong. It is common cause of suicidal poisoning in Hong Kong. However literature regarding incidence and case profile in other parts of the world is lacking. It has a corrosive action on the gastrointestinal tract and a depressant action on the central nervous system. Almost all the mortality in patients with Dettol poisoning is related to aspiration. Patients with Dettol poisoning have been observed to develop sudden upper airway obstruction which can require emergent endotracheal intubation. It has been observed predominantly in patients who are at high risk of aspiration in spite of the fact that other clinical signs of aspiration may be absent. This complication can be of delayed onset and should be anticipated. Treatment otherwise is mainly supportive. Prognosis is very good in patients who have not aspirated.