Caustic Poisoning: symptoms and which specialist to see

Caustic Poisoning

Reviewed by the medical team of El Doctor Editorial policy

Caustic poisoning occurs when a highly acidic or highly alkaline chemical substance —found in some cleaning products— is swallowed or comes into contact with the body and can damage the tissues of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

How it shows up: It can cause pain or burning in the mouth and throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, heavy drooling, vomiting, or pain in the chest or abdomen.

When to see a doctor? This is an emergency: if you suspect contact or ingestion, seek immediate care without inducing vomiting.

Which specialist treats it? The emergency physician handles the initial phase, and the gastroenterologist, the internist, or the pediatrician take part depending on the person affected. Because of its potential severity, the priority is to go to an emergency department right away.

Data on 108 doctors who treat caustic poisoning

Typical price

$600 MXN

Much the same as the national median

50% charge between $360 and $900 MXN

100% with verified license

Insurance accepted

GNP Seguros3

Which specialist treats caustic poisoning?

Caustic substance poisoning is an emergency that an emergency medicine physician should address right away; a general practitioner, pediatrician, or internist may be involved in follow-up care. Seek emergency care without delay if this happens. You can find these specialists here.

Pediatrician General Practitioner Emergency Physician Internist