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What Causes Dizziness And Sore Eyes After Exposure To Bathroom Cleaner?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014
Twitter Mon, 14 Apr 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 5 May 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I cleaned the bathroom and use cheap domestic cleaner and then bleach and continued cleaning and sprayin bleach even though I couldn't breathe so I covered my mouth and continued until I couldn't stand the fumes anymore it even made me cough a few time,i had to run out to get air,im now feeling very lightheaded and dizzy and had one sore itchy watery eye im still suffering the symptoms after a week,the lighthead dizziness is strong,sometimes it stops me in my tracks from walking or getting up.I didn't get a headache or sore chest,ONLY strong lighthead dizziness and a sore itchy watery eye
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Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 hours later)
Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Bathroom cleaners contain dilute acids (usually hydrochloric acid), cheaper domestic cleaners may contain small amounts of ammonium hydroxide and bleach contains sodium hypochlorite. Mixing these causes toxic fumes including chlorine and ammonia. 2. Your symptoms (including the eye symptoms and dizziness) are consistent with inhalation of these irritant gasses and fumes. However it has been one week since this happened and if the symptoms are decreasing, there is no cause for worry. 3. The dizziness may be due to the irritation (some inflammation in the lungs and sinuses), blood pressure fluctuation, vision (balance input) problems or gastritis. 4. Get a pulmonary function test done, as lack of oxygen will also cause dizziness. Your physician may prescribe anti-allergic medication, anti-inflammatory medication, anti-reflux medication and sometimes steroids may be used. Use of eye drops to soothe the eye will help. Anti-vertigo medication may also be used in the short term. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2686 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness And Sore Eyes After Exposure To Bathroom Cleaner?

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Bathroom cleaners contain dilute acids (usually hydrochloric acid), cheaper domestic cleaners may contain small amounts of ammonium hydroxide and bleach contains sodium hypochlorite. Mixing these causes toxic fumes including chlorine and ammonia. 2. Your symptoms (including the eye symptoms and dizziness) are consistent with inhalation of these irritant gasses and fumes. However it has been one week since this happened and if the symptoms are decreasing, there is no cause for worry. 3. The dizziness may be due to the irritation (some inflammation in the lungs and sinuses), blood pressure fluctuation, vision (balance input) problems or gastritis. 4. Get a pulmonary function test done, as lack of oxygen will also cause dizziness. Your physician may prescribe anti-allergic medication, anti-inflammatory medication, anti-reflux medication and sometimes steroids may be used. Use of eye drops to soothe the eye will help. Anti-vertigo medication may also be used in the short term. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them. Regards