Swallowing Soap: Is It Safe?
The Bottom Line
Soaps are anionic surfactants used for washing and cleaning. Swallowing a small amount of soap is usually not harmful. It can irritate the mouth and throat and cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some people may be allergic to some of the ingredients in soap, which can result in difficulty breathing, skin irritation and rashes.
What is soap?
Soap is an alkali salt of fatty acids. It is made by combining an alkali like lye with fat or oils. Soap is an anionic surfactant which is negatively charged. This allows soap to interact with water and dirt and to remove the dirt. It is used for cleaning, washing and bathing.
Hand soap vs. bar soap: Is there a difference?
Bar soap and liquid hand soap contain many similar ingredients and can be equally effective. Bar soaps are good for oily skin, may be gentler on sensitive skin, are more affordable, and are considered more environmentally friendly due to having less packaging.
Bar soap can be messier, leave scum in the bathtub, and can dry out the skin. Liquid hand soaps are easier to dispense from a pump and are good for sensitive or dry skin since they often contain moisturizers. Liquid hand soaps are usually more expensive, contain multiple ingredients, and are less environmentally friendly because of the plastic dispensers.
Is soap poisonous when swallowed?
Swallowing a small amount of soap is usually not serious. Concentrated soaps or those containing antibacterial agents may be more irritating than other soaps.
Signs of symptoms of soap poisoning
Soap can cause irritation to mouth and throat as well as mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Some people are allergic to some of the ingredients in soap such as fragrances or dyes. This may result in difficulty breathing, skin irritation or rashes. If soap splashes into the eyes, it can be irritating.
Cleansers you need to know
Antibacterial soaps contain more ingredients that are likely to cause toxicity. Common examples of antibacterial agents in soaps are triclosan, benzalkonium chloride, and chloroxylenol. The antibacterial agent in such soaps may not kill all the bacteria, eventually leading to antibacterial resistance which is a risk to human health. Soaps with foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, preservatives (such as parabens), degreasing agents, dyes and fragrances are more likely to cause skin irritation and other health problems. Soaps and hand sanitizers are different so their toxic effects are different from one another. Hand sanitizers contain alcohol such as isopropyl or ethyl alcohol which are more toxic if swallowed.
What to do if someone is experiencing symptoms of soap poisoning
If someone swallows a small amount of soap, rinse out their mouth and give them some water to drink. If someone swallows a large amount, or a soap that is concentrated or industrial strength, or has severe symptoms such as vomiting blood or trouble breathing, they should seek medical attention.
Help from experts is available through the webPOISONCONTROL online tool and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control’s expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Wendy Klein-Schwartz, Pharm.D., MPH
Clinical Toxicologist
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Store soaps up, away, and out of sight of children.
- Rinse your hands well with water to get soap residue off.
- Thoroughly dry hands after washing with soap and water.
- Use fragrance-free or hypoallergenic soaps if you have sensitive skin.
- Avoid getting soap in your eyes or in mouth.
- For handwashing, cool water is preferred since it is less irritating to the skin.
- Put wetbar soap on a drainable dish so it can dry properly.
This Really Happened
A 33-year-old woman ingested an estimated 10 cups of hand soap. She developed extreme lethargy, blotchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood pressure. Her blood became acidemic and serum creatinine was elevated indicating a decrease in renal function. She was treated with supportive care and improved within 6 hours.References
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Store soaps up, away, and out of sight of children.
- Rinse your hands well with water to get soap residue off.
- Thoroughly dry hands after washing with soap and water.
- Use fragrance-free or hypoallergenic soaps if you have sensitive skin.
- Avoid getting soap in your eyes or in mouth.
- For handwashing, cool water is preferred since it is less irritating to the skin.
- Put wetbar soap on a drainable dish so it can dry properly.