Home
Articles
Q&A

What are the symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning?

Mar 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning may include conjunctival congestion, photophobia, skin itching, respiratory mucosal damage, headache, and others. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention at a hospital promptly and follow standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance. If symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning occur, one should immediately leave the site and remove contaminated clothing. If formaldehyde comes into contact with the eyes, immediate rinsing with clean water is necessary.

Under normal circumstances, symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning may include conjunctival congestion, photophobia, skin itching, respiratory mucosal damage, headache, and other symptoms. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation at a hospital for standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Conjunctival Congestion

Formaldehyde is a chemical substance with irritant properties. When it comes into contact with the eyes, it can irritate the conjunctiva, causing an inflammatory reaction, leading to dilation and congestion of conjunctival blood vessels.

2. Photophobia

After entering the eyes, formaldehyde may also damage the cornea. Once the cornea is injured, its sensitivity to light increases, potentially causing photophobia.

3. Skin Itching

Formaldehyde has an irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes and can trigger immune responses, leading to skin inflammation. Additionally, long-term or repeated exposure to formaldehyde may impair the skin's barrier function, making it more susceptible to external irritation and infection.

4. Respiratory Mucosal Damage

After entering the body through the respiratory tract, formaldehyde may directly irritate the respiratory mucosa, causing mucosal congestion, edema, and inflammation. This may manifest as sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and chest tightness. In severe cases, it may trigger bronchial spasms, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.

5. Headache

Formaldehyde poisoning may damage the central nervous system and interfere with the normal transmission of neurotransmitters, leading to abnormal vasoconstriction and vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels, increased intracranial pressure, and impaired brain function, thus causing headache and other discomforts.

Once symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning appear, individuals should immediately leave the contaminated environment and remove any contaminated clothing. If formaldehyde contacts the eyes, immediate irrigation with clean water is necessary. Prompt emergency medical attention is required, and treatment should be conducted under medical guidance. At the same time, active adjustments to the living environment should be made to avoid further exposure to formaldehyde, preventing the condition from worsening.

Related Articles

View All
How long after ingestion does food poisoning take to manifest at the latest?
After consuming food contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, or food containing natural toxins, if the toxin is potent and ingested in large amounts, symptoms may rapidly develop within minutes to hours after eating, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. This commonly occurs after eating spoiled seafood or undercooked legumes. In daily care, it is advisable to temporarily avoid irritant foods.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
What causes high levels of lead in the body?
High levels of lead in the body may result from long-term exposure to lead-containing environments, ingestion of lead-contaminated food or substances, lead poisoning, iron-deficiency anemia, or chronic kidney disease. If symptoms such as abdominal pain, dizziness, or fatigue occur, or if lead levels remain consistently elevated, prompt medical attention is necessary. Long-term exposure to lead environments includes living near factories involved in lead-related work or residing in older homes decorated with lead-based paints.
avatar
Dr. Yang Ziqi
View Full Answer
What to do if poisoned by eating sprouted potatoes
In general, the treatment methods for poisoning from eating sprouted potatoes mainly include emesis therapy, gastric lavage, cathartic therapy, medication, and symptomatic supportive treatment. In addition, patients should remain in bed and avoid physical exertion during treatment. Diet should start with light, liquid foods and gradually transition to a normal diet.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
How long does it take for symptoms to appear after glyphosate poisoning?
In general, the onset time of glyphosate poisoning is not fixed and mainly depends on the route of exposure and the dose ingested. Symptoms may appear as early as several minutes to one hour, or as late as several hours to days, with significant variation. It is particularly important to emphasize that glyphosate poisoning may progress over time, leading to severe complications such as liver and kidney damage or respiratory failure. Regardless of the exposure route, medical attention must be sought immediately once any symptoms occur.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
How long does it take to detect mercury poisoning?
In general, the time it takes to detect mercury poisoning depends on the dose and route of exposure, as well as the testing method used. After acute, high-level exposure, mercury can be detected in the blood within 1–2 days. In cases of chronic, low-level exposure, it may take several weeks or even months before abnormalities are identified, often requiring combined assessment of urine and other tests for confirmation. It is important to avoid contact with mercury-containing products in daily life. Individuals with a clear history of exposure should consider regular monitoring through appropriate testing.
avatar
Dr. Wang Lei
View Full Answer
How to restore blackened gums to normal
In general, blackened gums may be caused by long-term smoking, improper diet, gingivitis, periodontitis, lead poisoning, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medications, etc. Daily maintenance of good oral hygiene habits is essential, and consumption of excessively cold, hot, or spicy and irritating foods should be avoided.
avatar
Dr. Liu Chao
View Full Answer
Can you eat a crab after it's dead?
In general, it is not recommended to eat dead crabs, especially those that have been dead for more than two hours or stored improperly, as consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or even poisoning. To avoid health risks, never eat dead crabs. When purchasing crabs, choose live and fresh ones, cook them promptly, and consume them soon after cooking to prevent spoilage from prolonged storage.
avatar
Dr. Yu Yongchao
View Full Answer
What are the blood routine findings associated with excessive formaldehyde exposure?
Formaldehyde, a chemical substance with irritant properties, may affect the human blood system when present at excessive levels. Blood test abnormalities may include abnormal white blood cell count, alterations in the red blood cell system, fluctuating platelet count, changes in lymphocyte proportion, and neutrophil abnormalities. It is recommended that individuals avoid prolonged exposure to environments with elevated formaldehyde levels. Newly renovated spaces should be adequately ventilated to remove odors before occupancy.
avatar
Dr. Liu Feng
View Full Answer
彩牛养生

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.