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Starch poisoning
     
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Starch poisoning

Cooking starch poisoning; Laundry starch poisoning

 

Starch is a substance used for cooking. Another kind of starch is used to add firmness and shape to clothing. Starch poisoning occurs when someone swallows starch. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

 

Cooking and laundry starch are both made from vegetable products, most commonly:

  • Corn
  • Potatoes
  • Rice
  • Wheat

Both are usually considered nonpoisonous (nontoxic), but some older laundry starches may contain:

  • Borax
  • Magnesium salts
  • Polishing agents

 

Where Found

 

Starch is found in:

  • Cooking starch
  • Cosmetic products
  • Laundry products (laundry starch)

Cooking starch and laundry starch are different substances. There are many brand names for both. Other products may also contain starch.

 

Symptoms

 

Swallowing cooking starch can cause a blockage in the intestines and stomach pain.

Swallowing laundry starch over a very long period of time can cause the symptoms below in different parts of the body:

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

  • Decreased urine output
  • No urine output

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

  • Yellow eyes (jaundice)

HEART AND BLOOD

  • Collapse
  • Fever
  • Low blood pressure

SKIN

  • Blisters
  • Bluish skin, lips, or fingernails
  • Flaking skin
  • Yellow skin

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness)
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Drowsiness
  • Twitching of the arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Twitching of the facial muscles

If the starch is inhaled, it may cause wheezing, rapid breathing, shallow breathing, and chest pain.

If the starch contacts the eyes, it may cause redness, tearing, and burning.

 

Home Care

 

Seek medical help right away. Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

If the person swallowed the starch, give them water or milk right away, unless a provider tells you not to. Do not give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness. If the starch is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed or inhaled
  • Amount swallowed or inhaled

 

Poison Control

 

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

Bring the starch with you to the hospital, if possible.

For cooking starch:

The person will probably not need to go to the emergency room unless they cannot drink fluids or are in severe pain.

For laundry starch:

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Chest x-ray
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Treatment may include:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Laxatives
  • Medicine to reverse the effects of the methadone (an antidote) and to treat other symptoms

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

How well someone does depends on how much starch they swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery. Cooking starch is generally not harmful, and recovery is likely. Poisoning from laundry starch is more serious.

 

 

Open References

References

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.

Theobald JL, Corcoran JL. Poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 94.

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        A Closer Look

         

          Self Care

           

            Tests for Starch poisoning

             
               

              Review Date: 10/14/2025

              Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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