The application of a concentrated formaldehyde solution to the skin causes severe pain and whitening; treatment - washing with water and soap.
When ingested, there are intense pain, inflammation, ulceration and necrosis of the mucous membranes, accompanied by bloody vomiting, diarrhea, hematuria and anuria, metabolic acidosis, vertigo, convulsions, loss of consciousness. Death occurs after taking 30 ml of formaldehyde. If the patient survived after 48 hours, the chances of recovery increase.
Treatment: after ingestion of formaldehyde, the patient should be given water, milk, Activated carbon, enveloping agents; gastric lavage and vomiting are not recommended; if necessary, ventilation and treatment of shock, with convulsions - diazepam; with acidosis - intravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate or sodium lactate. Hemodialysis.
Vapors of formaldehyde cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, upper respiratory tract, manifested in the form of cough, dysphagia, spasm and edema of the larynx, bronchi, and more rarely - the lungs. There are cases of developing asthma after repeated contact with formaldehyde.