Is it toxic for humans to touch borax?
Disease description:
I accidentally touched borax before. Afterward, my hands became a bit itchy with some small red rashes and slight peeling. I'm not sure if it's caused by the borax, and I'm quite concerned about it.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Touching borax with hands generally does not cause poisoning.
Borax, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has effects of clearing heat, resolving phlegm, detoxifying, and preventing decay. When used externally, it can help relieve symptoms such as sore throat and mouth ulcers. However, the chemical component of borax is sodium tetraborate, which has certain toxicity. Overuse or accidental ingestion may lead to poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it may even cause coma or shock.
Under normal circumstances, brief skin contact with borax is unlikely to result in poisoning, as its toxicity is relatively weak and insufficient to cause systemic poisoning. However, prolonged or extensive exposure to borax may lead to accumulative poisoning through skin absorption into the body. Therefore, protective measures such as wearing gloves and masks are recommended when handling borax to minimize direct skin contact.
In daily life, direct contact with borax should be avoided, especially for children and pregnant women, who should stay away from items containing borax. When using products containing borax, follow the product instructions carefully, take appropriate personal protective measures, and thoroughly wash hands after use to avoid ingestion or inhalation. Storage should also be done in a sealed container to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.
