What happens if you accidentally drink vinegar

What is vinegar

Vinegar is a liquid with a sour smell and taste. Acetic and sometimes other acids are responsible for them. It may be natural received through fermentation. This includes rice, wine, apple, balsamic and other types. Or it can be synthetic, that is, acetic acid diluted in water. Usually on the labels of such products there is the word "canteen".

Natural and table vinegars are not very strong: they contain up to 9–15% acid. If it is more than 70%, this is already vinegar essence. There is also 100% acetic acid, known as glacial.

What happens if you accidentally drink vinegar

The higher the concentration of vinegar and the greater its amount, the more likely will develop stomach upset. There may be irritation of the skin around the mouth or eyes if acid gets in there.

So you should not drink vinegar in its pure form - it's still an acid.

What to do if you drank vinegar

If you accidentally swallowed vinegar or saw that a child got to the bottle with it, act quickly:

• Rinse your mouth with water or at least wipe it with something. For example, with a wet cloth.
• Have a drink cool water or give your child a glass of it.
• Wash exposed skin with soap and water where vinegar may have come into contact. For example, the skin around the mouth.
• Call an ambulance on 103 or 112 for further instructions. You may not even need to go to the hospital, everything will end safely without treatment.

What happens if you accidentally drink essence or glacial acid

Even one spoon will cause severe burns. And if you swallow more, the consequences may be even scarier.

Acetic acid in such a concentration corrodes the skin, burns the mucous membrane of the mouth, esophagus, respiratory tractand also causes destruction of red blood cells, kidney damage, shock and eventually death. It is very painful and painful. Even if the victim manages to get help quickly, rehabilitation will take several months. For example, because the healing esophagus will grow together and its patency will have to be restored.

Therefore, you should not drink essence and glacial acid in any case.

What to do if you drank essence or glacial acid

Chances are you won't be able to help yourself. The most important thing is to try to call for help in any way.

If, in front of your eyes, someone accidentally drank essence or glacial acid, act as fast as possible:

• Call an ambulance at 103 or 112.
• If acid gets into the eye, flush with plenty of water.
• If on skin, wash with soap and water for at least 10-15 minutes.
• Remove or cut off contaminated clothing from the victim.