Ammonia poisoning can occur when you have an excessive amount of ammonia in your body, as a result of either external exposure or internal buildup.

While severe cases can be life threatening, early treatment can improve outcomes.

Ammonia poisoning can result from inhaling, ingesting, or otherwise coming into contact with high concentrations of ammonia, which is commonly found in industrial cleaners, fertilizers, and refrigerants.

Internally, high levels of ammonia can build up in your blood as a result of metabolic disorders or organ dysfunction, such as liver or kidney disease.

The severity of poisoning depends on the level and duration of exposure, as well as your overall health.

The symptoms of ammonia poisoning vary depending on the route of exposure:

  • Inhalation: coughing, throat irritation, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and respiratory distress
  • Ingestion: burning pain in your mouth, throat, or stomach; nausea; vomiting; and tissue damage
  • Skin or eye contact: redness, burns, irritation, or vision loss if ammonia comes into direct contact with your eyes
  • Internal ammonia buildup: confusion, fatigue, tremors, vomiting, and — in severe cases — coma or neurological damage

Seek emergency medical care if you experience:

  • wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • severe burning in your throat, chest, or stomach
  • confusion, disorientation, or seizures
  • persistent nausea and vomiting after exposure
  • loss of consciousness

Ammonia exposure can happen in several ways:

  • Occupational exposure: People who work in agriculture, cleaning services, or industrial refrigeration may be exposed to high concentrations of ammonia.
  • Household exposure: Many cleaning products and fertilizers contain ammonia, and improper use in poorly ventilated areas can lead to toxic exposure.
  • Accidental ingestion: Children or pets may accidentally ingest ammonia-containing products.
  • Natural disasters or industrial accidents: Leaks or spills in industrial settings can release high levels of ammonia into the air.
  • Medical conditions: Conditions such as liver disease can prevent your body from properly eliminating ammonia, leading to a dangerous buildup in your blood (hyperammonemia).

What to do at home

  • For inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately and seek medical help if breathing difficulties persist.
  • For ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • For skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse your skin thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.
  • For eye exposure: Flush your eyes with clean water for several minutes and get medical attention.

The following medical conditions can make you more susceptible to ammonia poisoning, especially as a result of internal accumulation:

  • Liver disease: Your liver typically removes ammonia from your body. Conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatitis can impair this function, leading to hyperammonemia.
  • Kidney disease: Your kidneys help eliminate ammonia through your urine. When your kidneys don’t work properly, ammonia can build up in your blood.
  • Urea cycle disorders: These are genetic conditions that prevent your body from effectively processing ammonia.
  • Severe infections or metabolic disorders: Certain conditions can interfere with ammonia metabolism and increase toxicity risk.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of ammonia poisoning.

Generally, you’ll be treated as follows:

  • For inhalation: You may receive oxygen therapy or bronchodilators to help with breathing.
  • For ingestion: Healthcare professionals may give you fluids, activated charcoal, or other treatments to help prevent further damage.
  • For external exposure: Treatment will involve immediate removal from the source, decontamination (such as flushing your eyes or skin with water), and supportive care for breathing difficulties.
  • For internal ammonia buildup: Treatment may involve medications to help your body remove ammonia, dialysis (in severe cases), or treatments for underlying conditions such as liver or kidney disease.

If ammonia poisoning has caused further health issues, those issues will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Ammonia poisoning can be serious, but early intervention can improve the outcome.

External exposure is often preventable with proper safety measures. Internal ammonia buildup requires medical management of underlying conditions.

If you suspect ammonia poisoning, seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.